
Book <AA 



B S^ 



gdtt-ftttuvjs of tijf Win. 



LYRICS, INCIDENTS, 



/v^ 



'k'klw^ 0f tie Eefelliii; 



COMPKISINO 



A CHOICE SELECTION OF PIECES BY OUR BEST POETS. 

TO wnicn IS added, cuRnKNT and 

well-authenticated anecdotes and incidents of the war. 

TOGETHEK WITH 

A FULL ACCOUNT OP MANY OF THE 

GEEAT BATTLES, 



ALSO, A COMPLETE HISTORICAL RECORD OP ALL EVENTS, BOTH CIVIL AND IIILITAHY 
FEOII THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REBELLION. 



COMPILED BY 



SIXTH EDITION. 



/^ MEW YORK. 

SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION, 
1866. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, hf 
LEDYAED BILL, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Soiithe»» 
District of New Tork. 






feV 



PEEFACE 



The appearance at tliis time of such a volume as this now 
in the hands of the reader, needs no excuse or apology. It 
comes of the natural outgrowth of the struggle in which our 
country is engaged. 

There is no merit claimed for it further than the fact of 
having collected and preserved here a few of the thousand 
fragments which may be found associated with every field of 
battle, and which only need be gathered up to be ever treas- 
ured as mementoes of the terrible conflict in v/hich Liberty 
and Anarchy have now so long and so stoutly grappled for 
the mastery on this continent. 

In the early history of the rebellion the loyal people were 
everywhere stirred with deepest indignation, and their patriot- 
ism found from poet-hearts full and deep expression. The 
best of the poetic compositions have been selected and placed 
here, and among the list of authors, whose productions give 
grace and lieauty to these pages, will be found the well known 
names of Mrs. Howe, Bryant, Stoddard, Holmes, Bayard Tay- 
lor, Mrs. Sigourncy, Whittier, and others who have by their 
loyalty lent lustre to our cause. 

War gives rise to anecdotes and incidents without number 
and when peace shall spread her wings over our shatters 



VI PREFACE. 

land, and the surviving heroes shall be home again, then will 
be told the gallant deeds which shall become the treasured 
history of town and country. These, gathered by the future 
historian, will form the great curiosity-shop and store-house 
of our literature ; in, and from which, the coming genera- 
tions shall learn of the sufferings, privations, and heroic 
action of their gallant and brave forefathers, who not only 
suffered all the calamities of war, but who by tens of thou- 
sands, aye ! tens and hundreds of thousands, bravely and 
willingly went down to death that they might have preserved 
to them that same Liberty our early ancestors planted on these 
western shores and watered with their blood. 

The concluding part of this volume is given to the great 
battles of the war, together with a complete record of the 
chief events since the commencement of the conflict. These 
battle-pieces were, at the time of their earliest publication, of 
absorbing interest to the people everywhere, and they must 
always continue to possess a power to charm the general 
reader. 

It is hoped that some portions of this volume, at least, may 
be found of interest to all ; if so, I shall feel that the labor 
spent in the compilation has not been wholly thrown away. 

L. B. 

Brooklyn, Mmj 14i7^, 1864. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

LTHICS OF THE WAR. 

Page 

IXTRODUCTION 11 

Hautakd Student's Song .... Mrs. Julia Ward Howe. 12 

The Prayeu of a Nation William H. Burleirjh. 13 

The Word Forceythe Willson. 15 

Barbara Frietchie John G. Whittier. 17 

Gently! Gently! Aiionymous. 19 

Lander Tliomas Bailey Aldrich. 20 

Not Yet William Cullen Bryant. 21 

The Cavalry Charge Francis A. Durivaye. 22 

On Guard John G. Nicolay. 25 

Company K Anonymoiis. 27 

The Rising of the North J. N. If. 2b 

Twilight on Sumter B. H. Stoddard. 30 

Battle Hymn of the Republic .... Julia Wa7xl Iloive. 32 

March ! Bayard Taylor. 33 

Across the Lines ' . . . Ffhel Lynn. 34 

The Captain's Wife Theodore Tilton. 37 

The Soldier's Dream of Home .... Caroline A. Mason. 38 

The Response • . " " 40 

The Cumberland ........ Anonyjnons. 42 

The Pic^t Guard " 42 

" The Last Broadside "... Elizabeth T. Porter Beach. 44 

Roll Call N. G. Shepard. 15 



Vm OONTEIsTS, 




Page 


The Cavalry Charge 


Edmund C. Sfedman. 


47 


The Wido-\ved Sword .... 


Anonyraous. 


48 


Stars in My Country's Sky 


Lydia H. Sigourney. 


49 


Carte de Visite 


Anonymous. 


51 


Lyon 


II. P. 


52 


Out in the Cold . ... 


Anonymous. 


54 


The Woods of Tennessee .... 


i( 


oG 


An Appeal 


Oliver Wendell Holmes. 


58 


The Varuna 


George H. Bolcer. 


59 


The Flower of Liberty .... 


Oliver Wendell Holmes. 


GO 


Dirge for a Soldier . ... 


George H. Boher. 


Gl 


The Refugee 


Samuel Eckel. 


G2 


To My Children 


Anonymous. 


G4 


On the Shores of Tennessee 


u 


G5 




. Horaiio Alger, Jr. 


G8 


The Furlough 


Anonymous? 


71 


The Soldier's Death 


Nancy A. W. Priest. 


72 


After the Victories .... 


Howard Glyndon. 


74 


Our Union .... . . 


Alfred B. Street. 


76 


The Fisherman of Beaufort 


Mrs. Fraui'fs D. Gage. 


77 


When the Great Rebellion's over 


Anonymous. 


78 


Bring the Hero Home .... 


a 


80 


" My Maryland " 


. J. B. Randall. 


82 


Maryland, My j\L\ryland 


. Finley Johnson. 


85 


Song of the Soldiers 


Miles O'Reilly. 


87 


Tee Snow at Fredericksburg 


Anonymous. 


88 


An Adjuration 


0. W. Holmes. 


89 


Was it a Dream 


Albert Bornitz. 


90 


The Veteran's Appeal 


Bayard Taylor. 


91 


A Northern Rally .... 


John Clancy. 


93 




Anonymous. 


94 


After All 


. William, Winter. 


96 


The Battle Cry of Freedom 


Anonymous. 


97 


The President's Hymn .... 


. Dr. Muhlenhurg. 


98 



CONTENTS. VS 

PART II. 

ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS AND PICTURES OF THE WAR. 

Page 

Introduction 101 

The Scout's Last Message 102 

The Amenities of War 110 

Pets in the Army 112 

Heroism in the Hospital 114 

The Mysterious Foe IIG 

Ride of the Wounded Brigade 123 

Autumnal Coloring of the Woods 125 

What Came out of a Cedar 12G 

Where Tour Gifts go . . 128 

The Nurse's Work 130 

The Western Soldier 131 

Philosophy of a Contraband 133 

The Corporal's Contraband Turkey 135 

The Tennessee Blacksmith 139 

How A Blockade Runner was caught 148 

The Battle-Field 157 

Perils of a Scout IGO 

After the Battle — Mission Ridge 1G7 

Life in Camp 172 

The Wounded after a Battle 17G 

Chickamauga Battle-Field 178 

Attitudes of the Slain 180 

Anecdote of Lieut.-Gen. Grant 182 

Circumstances alter Cases 184 

The Contraband's Prayer 18G 

A Rebel Officer's Story ....;,,. 187 

A Touching Incident 189 

Jenny Wade, the Heroine of Gettysbueq 190 

A Singular Spectacle in Battle .... , 191 



X CONTENTS. 

Page 

Gen. Rousseau and the Rebels 192 

The Eagle of the Noktii-West 195 

An Incident at the Late Boston Fair 197 

Feeding the Wives and Children of Rebels 198 

Negro Equality illustrated . 199 

Amusing Instance of Rebel Desertion 200 



PART III. 

THE GREAT BATTLES AND RECORD OF EVENTS. 

Introduction 201 

The Battle of Bull Run 202 

The Peninsula or Seven Days' Battles 219 

The Battle of Antietam 245 

The Battle of Pittsburg Landing 258 

The Battle of Gettysburg 280 

Record of Battles and Events for 18G1 300 

« « " 18G2 312 

« « « 1863 321 



LYRICS OF THE WA 



PART FIRST 



^^-^^ 





ERHAPS no struggle in the Avorld's history has 
g given rise to such a profusion of soul-stirring song 
and immortal verse, as has this conflict of Right 
and Wrong, that has now raged these many months 
between the l^orthern and Southern sections of our 
unfortunate country. No history that shall be written of this 
terrible struggle will be quite complete that docs not give ap- 
propriate space to the part the poets of our land have taken 
in stirring the popular heart. The press — the great educator 
of the people — has teemed with loyal song and invocation, 
calculated to create enthusiasm and excite the latent energies 
of a loyal people in behalf of the country's just and popular 
cause. Out of the throng of fine compositions, there have 
been selected with great care, the best, and sucli in the main 
as are worthy of permanent preservation in the literature of 
the country. The reader surely must find something in this 
collection of gems, from the perusal of which he may not rise, 
without having been made stronger and better in the cause of 
his country and of humanity. 



12 LYEICSOFTHEWAE. 



HAEYARD STUDENT'S SON^G. 

BY JULIA WARD nOWE. 
{Dcnkst du daran.) 

Eemembek ye tlie fateful gun tliat soimded 

To Sumter's walls from Charleston's treacherous shore ? 
Remember ye how hearts indignant bonnded 

When our first dead came back from Baltimore ? 
The banner fell that every breeze had flattered, 

The hmn of thrift Avas hushed with sudden woe ? 
We raised anew the emblems shamed and shattered, 

And turned a front resolved to meet the foe. 

Remember ye, how forth to battle faring 

Our valiant ranks the fierce attack withstood. 
In all the terrors of the tumult bearing 

The people's heart of dauntless lionhood ? 
How many a hand forsook its wonted labor, 

Forsook its gains, as prizes fall'n in worth, 
To wield with pain the warlike lance and sabre, 

To conquer Peace with God, for all on earth 2 

Remember ye, how, out of boyhood leaping, 

Our gallant mates stood ready for the fray ; 
As new-fledged eaglets rise, with sudden sweeping, 

And meet unscared the dazzling front of day ? 
Our classic toil became inglorious leisure, 

We praised the calm Horatian ode no more , 
But answered back with song the martial measure 

That held its throb above the cannon's roar. 

Remember ye the pageants dim and solemn. 

Where Love and Grief have borne the funeral pall ? 

The joyless marching of the mustered column. 
With arms reversed to Him who conquers all 2 



THE PKAYEK OF A NATION. 13 

Oil ! give tliem bade, thou bloody breast of Treason, 
They were our own, the darlings of our hearts ! 

They come benumbed and frosted out of season, 
With whom the summer of our youth departs. 

Look back no more ! our time has come, my Brothers ! 

In Fate's high roll our names are w^ritten too ; 
"We fill the mournful gaps left bare by others, 

The ranks where Fear has never broken through ! 
Look, ancient walls, upon our stern election ! 

Keep, Echoes dear, remembrance of our breath I 
And, gentle eyes and hearts of pure affection, 

Light us, resolved to Yictory or Death ! 



THE PKAYEE OF A iq'ATIOF. 

BY WILLIAM H. BITKLEIGH. 

Gop of our fathers, hear our earnest cry ! 

Our hope, our strength, our refuge is with Thee ! 
Confound our foes and make their legions fly ! 
Strengthen our hosts and give them victory ! 
Yictory — victory — 
Oh, God of Armies ! give us victory ! 

JSTot for exemption from the toil and loss. 

The pains, the woes, the horrors of the strife, 
Eut that with strong hearts we may bear the cross, 
And welcome death to save our nation's life : 
Yictory — victory — 
Oh, God of Battles ! give us victory ! 



14 LYKICSOFTHEWAE. 

For this no costliest gift would we withhold ; 

For this we count not dear our loved repose, 
Our teeming harvests, and our gathered gold. 
Our commerce fanned by every wind that blows. 
Victory — victory — 
God of our fathers ! give us victory ! 

Sons, brothers, sires, our bravest and our best, — 

The dearest treasure love has sanctified, 
These have gone forth at Liberty's behest. 
And on her altars have augustly died ! 
Victory — victory — 
God of our martyrs ! give us victory ! 

God ! have they poured their priceless blood in vain ? 

Shall treason triumph in our nation's fall ? 
Shall Slavery weld once more her broken chain, 
And o'er a prostrate land hold carnival ? 
Victory — victory — 
Oh, God of Freedom ! give us victory ! 

Nerve with new strength the patriot soldier's arm I 

Fill with new zeal the hero-souls that stand. 
Pillars of fire, to save from deadliest harm 

Their children's birthright in this goodly land 1 
Victory — victory — 
God of our heroes ! give us victory ! 

For the sad millions of the groaning earth, 

Helpless and crushed beneath oppression's rod, — 
For every hope that hallows home and hearth, — 
For heaven-born Liberty, the Child of God, — 
Victory— victory- 
God of the nations ! give u^ victory ! 



THEWOKD.- 15 

From war's red hell, involved in smoke and flame, 

From up-piled altars of om' noblest dead, 
We cry to Thee ! Oh, for Thy glorious name, 

Make bare Thine arm and smite onr foes with dread ! 
Victory — victory — 
Oh, God of Battles ! give us victory I 



THE WOED. 

by foeceythe willson. 

Aem ! 
This is the trumpet-peal ! 

Arm! 

Arm for the Commonweal 

Arm ! Arm ! 

Arm ! 
Arm without any words I 

Arm ! 

This is the time for swords I 

Arm ! Arm ! 

Arm to confront the foe 

Arm ! 
Arm to return the blow I 

Arm! 

Arm ere it is too late I 

Arm ! 
Arm or be desolate 1 

Arm! 



IG LYKICSOFTHEWAE. 

Arm for your country and fly to defend lier, — 

Arm ! 
Arm now or never ! Arm ! or surrender ! 
Arm ! Arm ! 



Arm for the Commonwealth, — Arm for your Mother,- 
Yom- children, your firesides, and for each other ! 
Aj:m! Arm! 

Arm for your Fatherhood ! 

Arm for your Motherhood ! 
Arm for your Sisterhood ! 
Arm for your Brotherhood ! 
Arm for Life, — Liberty, — and for all other good ! 
Arm ! Arm ! 



Arm, arm, to do and dare ! 

Arm for the Love you bear I 

Arm for the Debonnair ! 
Arm for the Heart that you live but to cherish I 

Arm for the Free and Fair — 

Arm for the Light and Air ! 
This is the last Appeal, — this your Country's cry,- 
This is your mother's prayer ! 

— " Arm, My Beloved ones ! 

Arm, My Beloved Sons 1 
Arm, I implore you, and strike tiJl you perish !" 



BARBARA FEIETCHIE. 17 

In tliis vre are toiicliecl "with a rare patlios — sncli as only tlie 
sweet poet Wiiittiee is capable of. It is a gem indeed : — 



BAEBAKA FEIETCHIE. 

Up from the meadows rich with corn, 
Clear in the cool September morn, 

The clustered spires of Frederick stand, 
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland. 

Eound about them orchards sweep, 
Apple and peach-tree fruited deep. 

Fair as a garden of the Lord 

To the eyes of the famished rebel horde. 

On that pleasant morn of the early Ml 
"When Lee marched over the moantain-wall — ■ 

Over the mountains winding down, 
Horse and foot, into Frederick town. 

Forty flags with their silver stai's, 
Forty flags with their crimson bars. 

Flapped in the morning Vv^ind : the sun 
Of noon looked down, and saw not one. 

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, 
Bowed with her fourscore years and ten ; 

Bravest of all in Frederick town. 

She took up the flag the men hauled down ; 

In her attic window the staff she set. 
To show that one heart was loyal yet. 

Up the street came the rebel tread, 
Stonewall Jackson ridins ahead. 



jg LYEIC80FTHEWAK. 

Under Ids slouched hat left arid right 
He glanced : the old flag met his sight. 

" Halt !" — the dust-brown ranks stood fast. 
" Fire !"— out blazed the rifle-blast. 

It shivered the window, pane, and sash ; 
It rent the banner with seam and gash. 

Quick, as it fell from the broken staff, 
Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf; 

She leaned far out on the window-sill, 
And shook it forth with a royal will. 

" Shoot, if you must, this gray old head. 
But spare your country's flag," she said. 

A shade of sadness, and a blush of shame, 
Over the face of the leader came ; 

The noble nature within him stirred 
To life at that woman's deed and word ; 

" Who touches a hair of yon gray head 
Dies like a dog ! March on !" he said. 

All day long tln-ough Frederick street. 
Sounded the tread of marching feet ; 

All day long that free flag tossed 
Over the heads of the rebel host. 

Ever its torn folds rose and fell 

On the loyal winds that loved it well ; 

And through the hill-gaps sunset light 
Shone over it with a warm good-night. 

Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er, 

And the rebel rides on his raids no more. 

Honor to her ! and let a tear 

Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier. 



GE>rTLTlGEXTLTl 19 

Over BarlDara Frietcliie's grave 
Flag of Freedom and Union -^ave I 

Peace and order and beantj draw 
Eound tliy symbol of light and lavr ; 

And ever the stars above look down 
On thv stars below at Frederick town ! 



gextlt: gextly! 

Among the -n-ounded -n-as a young soldier whose limbs were fearfully shattered. 
Though evidently in intense pain, he uttered no cry; but, as the carriers raised 
the '• stretcher" he was on, he whispered, " Gently I gently 1" 

' TnorGn lie neither sighs nor gi'oans, 
Death is busy with his bones : 
Bear him o'er the jutting stones 

Gently ! gently ! 

Sisters, faithful to your vow, 
Swathe his limbs and cool his brow : 
Peace ! his soul is passing now 

Gently! gently 1 

He has fallen in the strife ! 
Tell it to his widowed wife, 
And to her who gave him life, 

Gently ! gently I 

Loudly praise the brave who gem 
"With their blood our diadem : 
And their faults — oh, speak of them 

Gently ! gently I 



20 LYRICSOFTnEWAR. 



L ANDEE. 

BY THOMAS BAILEY ALDKICH. 

Close Ms bleak eyes — tliey shall no more 
Flasli victory where the cannon roar ; 
And lay the battered sabre at his side, 
(His to the last, for so he would have died !) 
Thongli he no more may pluck from out its sheath 
The sinewy lightning that dealt traitors death. 
Lead the worn war-horse by the plumed bier — 
Even his horse, now he is dead, is dear ! 

Take him, New England, now his work is done. 

He fought the good fight valiantly — and won. 

Speak of his daring. This man held his blood 

Cheaper than water for the nation's good. 

Rich Mountain, Fairfax, Romney, — he was there. 

Speak of him gently, of his mein, his air ; 

How true he was, how his strong heart could bend 

"With sorrow, like a woman's, for a friend : 

Intolerant of every mean desire : 

Ice where he liked not ; where he loved, all fire. 

Take him, New England, gently. Cther days, 
Peaceful and prosperous, shall give him praise. 
How will our children's children breathe his name, 
Bright on the shadowy muster-roll of fame ! 
Take him, New England, gently ; you can fold 
No purer patriot in your soft brown mould. 

So, on New England's bosom, let him lie. 
Sleeping awhile— as if the Good could die I 



N O T T E T . 21 

NOT YET. 

BY WILLIAM CULLEN BKYANT. 

O couNTET, marvel to the earth ! 

O realm of sudden greatness grov/n 1 
The age that gloried in thy birth, 

Shall it behold thee overthrown ? 
Shall traitors lay that greatness-low ? 
ISTo, Land of Hope and Blessing, IS'o ! 

And we who wear thy glorious name, 

Shall we^like cravens, stand apart. 
When those whom thou hast trusted aim 

The death-blow at thy generous heart ? 
Forth goes the battle-cry, and lo ! 
Hosts rise in harness, shouting, No ! 

And they who founded, in our land, 
The power that rules from sea to sea, 

Bled they in vain, or vainly planned 
To leave their country great and free ? 

Their sleeping ashes, from below. 

Send up the thrilling murmur, No ! 

Knit they the gentle ties which long 
These sister States were proud to wear, 

And forged the kindly links so strong 
For idle hands in sport to tear, — 

For scornful hands aside to throw ? 

No, by our fathers' memory. No ! 

Our humming marts, our iron ways, 

Our wind-tossed woods on mountain crest. 

The hoarse Atlantic, with his bays. 
The calm, broad Ocean of the West, 

And Mississippi's torrent flow. 

And loud Niagara, answer, No I 



22 LYKICSOFTHEWAK. 

Not yet the hour k nigh, when they 
Who deep in Eld's dim twilight sit, 

Earth's ancient kings, shall rise and say, 
" Proud country, welcome to the pit ! 

So soon art thou, like us, brought low ?" 

!N"o, sullen groups of shadows, No ! 

For now, behold the arm that gave 
The victory in our fathers' day, 

Strong, as of old, to guard and save, — 
That mighty arm which none can stay,- 

On clouds above and fields below, 

"Writes, in men's sight, the answer, No I 



In the entire range of loyal song — there is scarce one that 
will arrest the attention of the general reader so much as this 

hy DUKIVAGE. 



THE CAYALKT CHAEGE. 

BY FEANCIS A. DtJEIVAGE. 

With bray of the trumpet 

And roll of the drum, 
And keen ring of bugles, 

The cavalry come. 
Shai-p clank the steel scabbards, 

The bridle-chains ring, 
And foam from red nostrils 

The wild chargers fling. 



THE CAVALKY CHARGE. 2? 

Tramp ! tramp ! o'er tlie green sv.'ard 

That quivers below, 
Scarce held by the curb-bit 

The fierce horses go ! 
And the grim-visaged colonel, 

With ear-rending shout, 
Peals forth to the squadrons, 

The order—" Trot out." 

One hand on the sabre. 

And one on the rein, 
The troopers move forward 

In line on the plain, 
As rings the word " Gallop!" 

The steel scabbards clank, 
And each rowel is pressed 

To a horse's hot flank ; 
And swift is their rush 

As the wild torrents flow. 
When it pours from the crag 

On the valley below. 

" Charge !" thunders the leader 

Like shaft from the bow 
Each mad horse is hurled 

On the wavering foe 
A thousand bright sabres 

Are gleaming in air ; 
A thousand dark horses 

Ai-e dashed on the square. 

Besistless and reckless 

Of aught may betide. 
Like demons, not mortals, 

The wild troopers ride. 



24 LYEICSOFTHEWAR 

Cut right I and cut left ! 

For tliG parry who needs ? 
The bayonets shiver 

Like wind-shattered reeds ? 



Yain — vain the red volley 

That bursts from the squart>— 
The random-shot bullets 

Are wasted in air. 
Triumphant, remorseless, 

Unerring as death, — 
No sabre that's stainless 

Returns to its sheath. 

The w^ounds that are dealt 

By that murderous steel 
"Will never yield case 

For the surgeons to heal. 
Hurrah ! they are broken — 

Hurrah ! boys, they fly — 
None linger save those 

"Who but linger to die. 

Eein up your hot horses 

And call in your men ; 
The trumpet sounds " Rally 

To color" again. 
Some saddles are empty, 

Some comrades are slain, 
And some noble horses 

Lie stark on the plain. 
But war's a chance game, boys. 

And weeping is vain. 



V 

ONGUAED. 25 



ON GUAED. 

BY JOJIN G. NICOLAY. 

In the black terror-niglit, 

On yon niist-slirouded hill, 
Slowly, with footstep light, 

Stealthy and grim and still. 
Like ghost in winding sheet 

Risen at midnight bell, 
Over his lonely beat 

Marches the sentinel ! 

In storm-defying cloak — 

Hand on his trusty gv-n — 
Heart, like a heart of oak — 

Eye, never-setting sun ; 
Speaks but the challenge-shout, 

All foes without the line, 
Heeds but, to solve the doubt. 

Watchword and countersign. 

Camp-ward, the watchfires gleam 

Beacon-like in the gloom ; 
Round them his comrades dream 

Pictures of youth and home. 
Wliile in his heart the bright 

Hope-fires shine everywhere. 
In love's enchanting light 

Memory lies dreaming there. 

Faint, through the s'lence come 

From the foes' grim array, \, 

Growl of impatient drum 

Eager for morrow's fray 



26 LYKICSOFTHEWAE. 

Echo of song and sliout, 
Curse and carousal glee. 

As in a fiendisli rout 
Demons at revelry. 

Close, in the gloomy shade — 

Danger lurks ever nigh — 
Grasping his dagger-blade 

Crouches th' assassin spy ; 
Shrinks at the guardsman's tread, 

Quails 'fore his gleaming eyes, 
Creeps back with baffled hate. 

Cursing his cowardice. . 

ISTaught can beguile his bold, 

Unsleeping vigilance ; 
E'en in the fireflame, old 

Yisions unheeded dance. 
Fearless of lurking spy, 

Scornful of wassail-swell, 
"With an undaunted eye 

Marches the sentinel. 

Low, to his trusty gun 

Eagerly whispers he, 
" "Wait, with the morning sun 

March we to victory. 
Fools, into Satan's clutch 

Leaping ere dawn of day : 
He who would fight must watch, 

He who would win must pray." 

Pray ! for the night hath wings ; 

"Watch ! for the foe is near ; 
March ! till the momino- bringrs 

Fame-wreath or soldier's bier. 



comjpanyk. 27 

So sliall tlie poet write, 

YVlien all liatli ended well, 
"Thus throngli tlie nation's night 

Marched Freedom's sentinel." 



Ake there not many hearts that will feel the pangs of keenest 
pain on reading this ? Alas ! That so many brave soldiers', 
noble companions', affectionate brothers', and dearest friends' 
lustory, death and memory, are all told in this sad, yet heroic 
verse. 

COMPACT" K. 

Theke is a cap in the closet, 

Old, tattered, and blue — 
Of very slight value. 

It may be, to you : 
But a crown, jewel studded, 

Could not buy it to-day. 
With its letters of honor. 

Brave " Co. K." 

The head that it sheltered 

Needs shelter no more : 
Dead heroes make holy 

The trifles they wore ; 
So, like chaplet of honor. 

Of laurel and bay. 
Seems the cap of the soldier, 

Marked " Co. K.» 

Bright eyes have looked calmly 

Its visor beneath. 
O'er the work of the Reaper, 

Grim Harvester Death ! 



28 LYEIC80FTHEWAK. 

Let the muster-roll, meagre, 
So mom'ufuUj say, 

How foremost in danger 
Went " Co. K." 



"Wliose footsteps unbroken 

Came up to the town, 
Where rampart and bastion 

Looked threat'ningiy down I 
Who, closing up breaches. 

Still kept on their way, 
Till guns, downward pointed, 

Faced " Co. K." 

Who faltered, or shivered ? 

Who shunned battle stroke ? 
Whose fire was uncertain ? 

Whose battle line broke ? 
Go, ask it of History, 

Years from to-day, 
And the record shall tell you, 

Not " Co. K." 

Though my darling is sleeping 

To-day wdth the dead, 
And daisies and clover 

Bloom over his head, 
I smile through my tears 

As I lay it away — 
That battle-worn cap, 

Lettered " Co. K.» 



THE KISING OF THE NOKTH. 29 



THE KISING OF THE NOKTH. 

J. N. M. 

High on tlie mountains 
A new day is dawning ; 

Over tlie eastern liills 

Breaks tlie glad morning. 

Up from the valleys 
Glad eyes are tra-ning 

Fnll of the holy fires 
In the heart bnrning. 

Long was the night-watch, 

Bitter with woe ; 
Dim burned the altar-fires, — 

Faintly and low. 

ITow, from the orient, 

Leaps the new day. 
Chasing the shadows 

Of midnight away. 

Freedom has risen, 

And men shall once more 
Gird on the armor 

Their forefathers wore. 



And dare to do battle 
For Justice and Right ; 

Die as their fathers died,-^ 
Facing the fight. 



so LTBIC80FTHEWAK. 

Like some old organ-peal, 
Solemn and grand, 

The antliem of Freedom 
Sweeps through the land. 

The hand of a master 

Touches the keys, 
And the soul-stirring symphony 

Swells on the breeze. 



Out of the clouded sky 
A new light is breaking ; 

From the deep sleep of guilt 
The nation is waking. 

High on the mountains 
The new day is dawning ; 

Soon in the valleys 

Shall break the glad morning. 



TWILIGHT 01^ SUMTEE. 

BY E. IT. STODDAKD. 

Still and dark along the sea 

Sumter lay ; 
A light was overhead, 
As Irom burning cities shed, 
And tije clouds were battle-red 

Far away I 



TWILIGHT ON SUMTER. 31 

Not a solitary gun 

Left to tell tlie fort had won 

Or lost the day ! - 
Nothing but the lettered rag 
Of the drooping rebel flag. 
And the sea-birds screaming round it in their play ! 



How it woke one April morn 

Fame shall tell ; 
As from Moultrie, close at hand, 
And the batteries on the land, 
Eound its fnint but fearless band 

Shot and shell 
Eaining hid the doubtful light : 
But they fought tlie hopeless fight 

Long and well. 
(Theirs the glory, ours the shame !) 
Till the walls were wrapt in flame, 
Then our flag was proudly struck, and Sumter fell I 

JVoio — O look at Sumter now, 

In the gloom : 
Mark its scarred and shattered walls, 
(Hark ! tlie ruined rampart falls !) 
There is a justice that appalls 

In its doom : 
For this blasted spot of earth 
Where rebellion had its birth, 

Is its tomb : 
And when Sumter sinks at last 
From the heavens, that shrink aghast. 
Hell will rise in grim derision, and make room. 



32 LYRICSOFTHEWAK. 

Is there not sometliing grand and sonl-stirring in tliese 
stately and noble lines, from tlie inspii*ed pen of Mrs. Dk. 
Howe ? 

BATTLE-HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC. 

BY MKS. JULIA WAKD HOWE. 

Mine eyes have seen tlie gloiy of tlie coming of the Lord ; 
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are 

stored ; 
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword : 

His truth is marching on. 

I have seen him in the watchfires of a hundred circling 

camps ; 
Tkey have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and 

damps ; 
I have read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring 

lamps : 

His day is marching on. 

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel : 
" As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace 

shall deal ; 
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with liis heel, 

Since God is marching on." 

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; 
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat ; 
Oh ! be swift, my soul, to answer Him ! be jubilant, my feet ! 

Our God is marchine; on. 



't) 



In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea. 
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me ; 
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, 

While God is marchinsr on. 



MARCH. 33 

MARCH. ' 

BY BAYAED TAYLOE. 

With rushing ^dnds and gloomy skies 
The dark and stubborn Winter dies ; 
Far-ofi', unseen, Spring faintly cries, 
Bidding her earliest child arise : 

March ! 

By streams still held in icy snare. 
On Southern hill-sides, melting bare, 
O'er fields that motley colors wear. 
That summons fills the changeful air : 

March I 

What though conflicting seasons make 
Thy days their field, they woo or shake 
The sleeping lids of Life awake. 
And Hope is stronger for thy sake : 

March ! 



Then from thy mountains, ribbed with snow, 
Once more thy rousing bugle blow, 
And East and West, and to and fro, 
Proclaim thy coming to the foe : 

March ! 

Say to the picket, chilled and numb, 
Say to the camp's impatient hum, 
Say to the trumpet and the drum : 
Lift up your hearts, I come, I come I 

March I 

Cry to the waiting hosts that stray 
On sandy sea-sides far away, 
3 



34 LTKICSOFTHBWAE. 

By marshy isle and gleaming bay, 
Wliere Soutliern March is Northern May : 

March ! 

Announce thyself with welcome noise, 
"Where Glory's victor-eagles poise 
Above the proud heroic boys 
Of Iowa and Illinois : 

March I 

Then down the long Potomac's line 
Shout like a storm on hills of pine, 
Till ramrods ring and bayonets shine,— 
" Advance ! the Chieftain's call is mine : 

" Maech I" 



ACKOSS THE LINES. 

BY ETHEL LYNN. 

Left for dead ? I — Charlie Coleman, 

On the field we won — and lost, 
Like a dog ; the ditch my death-bed, 

My pillow but a log across. 
Helpless hangs my arm beside me, 

Drooping lies my aching head ; 
How strange it sounded when that soldier, 

Passing, spoke of me as " dead." 

Dead ? and here — wliere yonder banner 
Flaunts its scanty group of stars, 

And that rebel emblem binds me 
Close within those bloody bars. 



ACROSS THE LI]SES.. 35 

Dead ? witliout a stone to tell it, 

jSTor a flower above my breast ! 
Dead ? T\iiere none wiii whisper softly, 

" Here a brave nmn lies at rest !" 

Help me, Tlioii, my mother's Helper, — 

Jesus, Thou who biding here, 
Loved like me an earthly mother. 

Be thou still to aid me near. 
Give me strength to totter yonder, 

Hold me up till o'er me shines 
The flag of Union, — ^there she promised 

To meet me, just beyond the lines. 

"Well I know how she will wander. 

Where a woman's foot may stray. 
Looking with those eyes so tender 

Where the poor boys wounded lay. 
How her hand will bring them water, 

For her own boy Charlie's sake, 
.And when dying bid them whisper, 

" I pray the Lord. lay soul to take." 

Ah ! I stand on foot but feebly. 

And the blood runs very fast. 
Yet by fence and bush I'll stagger 

Till the rebel lines be passed. 
*' Courage, Charlie ! twist it tighter, — 

The tourniquet about your arm ; 
Be a man — don't faint and shiver 

When the life-tide trickles warm." 

Faint and weak, — still coming, mother, 

Walking some, but creeping more, 
Fearing lest the watchful sentry 

Stops the heart-beat, — slow before. 



36 LTEICSOFTHEWAB. 

Stay — with fingers ruddy dabbled 
Loose the belt your waist confines ; 

Write upon it " Charlie Coleman — 
Carry him across the lines." 

Trembling letters, — but some stranger 

Chance may read fhem when I'm gone, 
And for the sake of love and pity 

Bear my lifeless body on. 
Coming ! ah — what means this darkness — 

Night too soon is coming on. 
Mother, are you waiting? — "Jesus, 

Tell her that with You I've gone." 

Then the head her heart had pillowed, 
Drooping laid it down to rest, 

As calm as when in baby slumber 
Its locks were cradled on her breast. 

Glowed the sunset o'er the meadow, 
Lighting up the gloomy pines, 

Where a body only lingered — 

Charlie's soul had crossed the lines. 

A passing soldier — foe, yet human — 

Stooped to read the words of blood ; 
So pitiful, so sadly earnest ; 

And bore him onward through the wood. 
Beneath the white flag bore him safely. 

Kow, while Indian Summer shines, 
A mother's tears dew springing myi'tle, 

O'er Charlie's grave across the lines. 



THE CAPTAINS WIFE. 37 

THE CAPTAIN'S WIFE. 

BY THEODORE TILTOK. 

We gathered roses, Blanche and I, for little Madge one 

morning ; 
" Like every soldier's wife," said Blanche, " I dread a soldier's 

fate." 
Her voice a little trembled then, as under some forewarning. 
A soldier galloped up the lane, and halted at the gate. 

" Which house is Malcolm Blake's ?" he cried ; " a letter for 

his sister !" 
And when I thanked him, Blanche inquired, " But none for 

me, his wife ?" 
The soldier played with Madge's curls, and, stooping over, 

kissed her : 
" Tour father was my captain, child ! — I loved him as my life !" 

Then suddenly he galloped off and left the rest unspoken. 
I burst the seal, and Blanche exclaimed, — " What makes you 

tremble so ?" 
What answer did I dare to speak ? How ought the news be 

broken ? 
I could not shield her from the stroke, yet tried to ease the 

blow. 

" A battle in the swamps," I said ; " our men were brave, but 
lost it." 

And, pausing there, — "The note," I said, "is not in Malcolm's 
hand." 

And first a flush flamed through her face, and then a shadow 
crossed it. 

" Read quick, dear May ! — read all, I pray — and let me under- 
stand !" 



38 L Y E I C 8 O F T H E W A R . 

I did not rend it as it stood, — but tempered so the phrases 
x^s not at first to hint the worst,— held back the fatal word, 
And half retold his gallant charge, his shont, his comrades' 

praises- 
Till like a statue carved in stone, she neither spoke nor stirred! 

Oh, never yet a woman's heart was frozen so completely ! 
So nnbaptized with helping tears ! — so passionless and dumb! 
Spellbound she stood, and motionless, — till little Madge spoke 

sweetly : 
" Dear mother, is the battle done ? and will my father come ?" 

I laid my finger on her lips, and set the child to playing. 
Poor Blanche ! the winter in her cheek was snowy like her 

name ! 
What could she do but kneel and pray, — and linger at her 

praying ? 
O Christ ! when other heroes die, moan other wives the same ? 

Must other women's heart yet break, to keep the Cause from 

failing ? 
God pity our brave lovers then, who* face the battle's blaze ! 
And pity wives in widowhood ! — But is it unavailing '? 
O Lord ! give Freedom first, then Peace ! — and unto Thee be 

praise ! 



THE SOLDIER'S DREAM OF HOME. 

BY CAEOLINE A. MASON. 

Yfiv have put the children to bed, Alice, — 

Maud and "Willie and Rose ; — 
They have lisped their sweet " Our Father," 

And sunk to their night's repose. 



THE 



39 



Did they tliink of mc, dear Alice ? 

Did tliey think of nie, and say, 
" God bless him, and God bless him 1 

Dear father, far away ?" 

Oh, my very heart grows sick, Alice, 

I long so to behold 
Eose, with her pnre, white forehead. 

And Maud, with her curls of gold ; 
And Willie, so gay and sprightly, 

So merry and full of glee ; 
Oh, my heart yearns to enfold ye. 

My " smiling group of three !" 

I can bear the noisy day, Alice ; 

The camp life, gay and wild. 
Shuts from my yearning bosom 

The thoughts of wife and child : 
But when the night is round me, 

And under its strong beams 
I gather my cloak about me, 

I dream sudi long, sad dreams I 

I think of the pale young wife, Alice, 

Who looked up in my face 
When the drum beat at evening, 

And called me to my i^lace. 
I think of the three sweet birdlings 

Left in the dear home-nest. 
And my soul is sick with longings 

Tliat will not be at rest. 

Oh, when will the war be over, Alice 1 

Oh, when shall I behold 
Kose, with her pure, white forehead, 

And Maud, with her curls of gold ; 



40 LYEICSOFTIIEWAE. 

And Will, so gay and spriglitly, 
So merry and full of glee, 

And, more than all, the dear wife 
Who bore my babes to me ? 

God guard and keep you all, Alice ; 

God guard and keep me, too ; 
For if only one were missing, 

What would the other do ? 
Oh, when will the war be over, 

And when shall I behold 
Those whom I love so dearly. 

Safe in the dear home-fold ? 



THE EESPOlSrSE. 

I HAVE put the children to bed, Harry,- 

Kose and Willie and Maud ; — 
They have sung their hymns together. 

And whispered their prayer to God. 
Then Rose said, gently smiling, 

" Come, Willie and Maud, now say, 
God bless the dear, sweet father, — 

Father so far away 1" 



And such a glad trust arose, Harry, 
In this sad heart of mine. 

For I felt that God would keep you 
Safe in His hand divine. 



THEKESPONSE, 41 

And I kissed tlieir pure young forelieads, 

And said, " He is over all ! 
He countetli tlie kairs of your lieads, darlings, 

And notetli the sparrow's fall." 

Then I sung them to their sleep, Harry, 

With hymns all trust and love, 
And I knew that God was listening 

From His gracious throne above. 
And since that calm, sweet evening, 

I have felt so happy, dear ! 
And so have the children, Harry, 

They seem to know no fear. 

They talk of your coming home, Harry, 

As something sure to be ; 
I list to their childish pratings, 

ITor care to check their glee. 
For oh, 'tis a cause so noble, 

And you so brave and true ; 
And God protects His own, Harry, 

And surely will watch o'er you. 

So keep a brave good heart, Harry ! 

God willing — and He knows best — 
We'll welcome you, safe and happy, 

Back to the dear home-nest. 
And Maud and Rose and Willie 

Shall yet, with a moistened eye, 
Give thanks to the dear, good Father, 

While you stand tearful by. 



4-2 LYRICSOFTHEWAK. 

All will remember the heroic fate of the noble ship Cum- 
berland, and her gallant crew, in Hampton Roads. What an 
example to Americans, and what a spectacle to the world ! 
The names of commander and sailor should ever be green in 
the memory of their countrymen. 

THE CUMBERLA]S"D. 

AKONTMOUS. 

Magnificent thy fate ! 

Once mistress of the seas ; 
ISTo braver vessel ever flung 

A pennon to the breeze ; 
No bark e'er died a death so grand ; 

Such heroes never vessel manned ; 
^ ■ Tour parting broadside broke the wave 

That surged above your patriot grave ; 
Tour flag, the gamest of the game. 

Sank proudly with you — not in shame 
But in its ancient glory ; 

The memory of its parting gleam 
Will never fade while poets dream ; 

The echo of your dying gun 
Will last till man his race has run, 

Then live in angel story. 



THE PICKET-aUAED. 

" All quiet along the Potomac," they say, 
" Except now and then a stray picket 

Is shot, as he walks on his beat, to and fro, 
By a rifleman hid in the thicket. 



THEPICKET-GUAKD. 43 

'Tis nothing — a private or two, now and then, 
Will not count in the nev;s of the battle ; 

Not an officer lost — only one of the men, 
Moaning out, all alone, the death-rattle." 

All quiet along the Potomac to-night. 

Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming ; 
Their tents, in the rays of the clear autumn moon, 

Or the light of the watch-fires are gleaming. 
A tremulous sigh, as the gentle night-wind 

Through the forest leaves softly is creeping ; 
While stars up above, with their glittering eyes, 

Keep guard — for the army is sleeping. 

There's only the sound of the lone sentry's tread 

As he tramps from the rock to the fountain, 
And thinks of the two in the low trundle-bed, 

Far away in the cot on the mountain. 
His musket falls slack, — his ftice, dark and grim, 

Grows gentle with memories tender, 
As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep, — 

For their mother, — may Heaven defend her ! 

The moon seems to shine just as brightly as then. 

That night, when the love yet unspoken 
Leaped up to his lips, — when low, murmured vows 

Were pledged to be ever unbroken. 
Then drawing his sleeve roughly over his eyes, 

Fie dashes off tears that are welling. 
And gathers his gun closer up to its place. 

As if to keep dowm the heart-swelling. 

He passes the fountain, the blasted pine-tree — 

The footstep is lagging and weary ; 
Tet onward he goes, through the broad belt of light, 

Toward the shades of the foi-est so dreary. 



44 LTRICSOFTHEWAE. 

Hark ! was, it tlie nigiit-wind tliat rustled the leaves ? 

"Was it moonlight so wondrously flashing ? 
It looked like a rifle—" Ha ! Mary, good-by !" 

And the life-blood is ebbing and plashing. 

All qniet along the Potomac to-night, — 
ISTo sound save the rush of the river ; 

While soft falls the dew on the face of the dead, — 
The picket's ofl" duty forever. 



"THE LAST BROADSIDE." 

BY ELIZABETn T. PORTER BEACH, 

The following lines were written upon hearing of the heroism of the crew of 
the " Frigate Cumberland," in the engagement at " Hampton Roads," who bravely 
fired a last "Broadside" -while their ship was sinking, in compliance with the 
order of their Commanding Officer, the gallant hero, Lieutenant Morris. 

" Shall ive give them a Broadside as she goesf 

* Shall we give them a Broadside, my boys, as she goes ? 

Shall we send yet another to tell. 
In iron-tongued words, to Columbia's foes, 
How bravely her sons say Farewell ? 

Ay ! what though we sink 'neath the turbulent wave, 

'Tis with DUTY and right at the helm ; 
And over the form should the fierce waters rave, 

No tide can the spirit o'erwhelm ! 

For swift o'er the billows of Charon's dark stream 

We'll pass to the Immortal shore. 
Where the " waters of life" in brilliancy beam, 

And the pure float in peace evermore 1 



BOLLCALL. 45 

Shall we give them a Broadside once more, my brave men ? 

" Ay ! Ay !" rose tlie full, earnest cry ; 
" A Broadside ! A Broadside ! we'll give them again I 

Then for God and the Eight nobly die." 

''■■ Haste ! Haste !" — for mid all that battling din 
Comes a gurgling sound fraught with fear, 

As swift flowing waters pour rushingly in ; 
Up ! Up ! till her portholes they near. 

'No blenching ! — no faltering ! — still fearless all seem j 

Each man firm to duty doth bide ; 
A flash ! and a " Broadside !" a shout ! a careen ! 

And the Cumberland sinks 'neath the tide ! 

The " Star Spangled Banner" still floating above ! 

As a beacon upon the dark wave ; 
Our Ensign of Glory, proud streaming in love, 

O'er the tomb of the " Loyal and Brave !" 

Bold hearts ! mighty spirits ! " tried gold" of our land I 

A halo of glory your meed ! 
All honored, the noble-souled Cumberland band 1 

So true in Columbia's need ! 



KOLL CALL. 



BY N. G. SHEPHERD. 



" CoRPOEAL Green !" the orderly cries ; 
" Here !" was the answ^er, loud and clear, 
From the lips of a soldier who stood near, 

And " Here !" was the word the next replied. 



i6 LTKIC80FTHEWAR. 

" Cyrus Drew !" — then a silence fell, — 
This time no answer followed the call : 
Only his rear-man had seen him ftill, 

Killed or wounded he could not tell. 

There they stood in the failing light, 

These men of hattle, ^^ith grave, dark looks, 
As plain to he read as open books ; 

"While slowly gathered the sliade of night. 

The fern on the hill-sides were splashed with blood, 
And down in the corn, where the poppies grew, 
"Wore redder stains than the poppies knew ; 

And crimson-dyed is the river's Hood. 

For the foe had crossed from the other side 
That day, in the face of a murderous fire 
That swept them down in its terrible ire ; 

And their life-blood went to color the tide. 

" lierlert Cline !" — At the call there came 
Two stalwart soldiers into the line. 
Bearing between them this Herbert Cline, 

"Wounded and bleeding, to answer his name. 

" Ezra Kerr !" — and a voice answered " Here !" 
" Hiram Kerr !" but no man replied : 
They were brothers, these two ; the sad wind sighed. 
And a shudder crept through the corn-field near. 

"Ephraim Deane!" — then a soldier spoke: 

" Deane carried our regiment's colors," he said, 
" When our ensign was shot ; I left him dead, 

Just after the enemy wavered and broke. 



THE CAVALRY C II AKGE. 47 

" Close to the roadsde his body lies ; 

I paused a moment and gave him to drink ; 

He murmured his mother's name, I think; 
And Death came with it and closed his eyes." 

'Twas a victory — yes : but it cost us dear ; 
For that company's roll, when called at night, 
Of a hundred men who went into the fight, 

Numbered but twenty that answered " Here /" 



THE CAYALEY CHARGE. 

BY EDMU^T) C. 6TEDMAN. 

OuK good steeds smiff the evening air, 
Our pulses with their purpose tingle 
The foeman's fires are twinkling there ; 
He leaps to hear our sabres jingle ! 

Halt ! 
Each carbine sent its whizzing ball : 
Kow, cling ! clang ! forward all, 
Into the fight ! 

Dash on beneath the smoking dome : 

Through level lightnings gallop nearer! 
One look to Heaven ! IsTo thoughts of home ; 
T]ie guidons that we bear are dearer. 

Chaege ! 
Cling ! clang ! forward all ! 
Heaven help those whose horses fall : 
Cut left and right ! 



46 L Y K I C S O F T n E W A E . 

They flee before our fierce attack ! 

They fall ! they spread in broken surges, 
!Now, comrades, bear our wounded back, 

And leave the foeman to his dirges. 

WUEEL ! 

The bugles sound the swift recall: 
Cling ! clang ! backward all ! 
Home, and good-night ! 



THE WIDOWED SWOKD. 

ANONYMOUS. 

They haye sent me the sword that my brave bo} wore 

On the field of his young renown, — 
On the last red field, where his faith was sealed, 
And the sun of his days went down. 
Away with the tears 

That are blinding me so ; 
There is joy in his years, 

Though his 3'oung head be low ; 
And I'll gaze with a solemn delight, evermore, 
On the sword that my brave boy wore. 

'Twas for Freedom and Home that I gave him away, 

Like the sons of his race of old ; 
And though, aged and gray, I am childless this day, 
He is dearer a thousandfold. 

There's a glory above him 

To hallow his name ; 
A land that will love him 
Who died for its fame ; 



8TAK8 IN MY COUNTET's SKY. 49 

And a solace will sliine when my old heart is sore, « 
Kound the sword that my brave boy wore. 

All so noble, so true,— how they stood, how they fell 

In the battle, the plague, and the cold ; 
Oh, as bravely and well as e'er story could tell 
Of the flower of the heroes of old. 
Like a sword through the foe 

Was that fearful attack, 
That so bright ere the blow 
Comes so bloodily back ; 
And foremost among them his colors he bore, — 
And here is the sword that my brave boy wore. 

It was kind of his comrades, ye know not how kind; 

It is more than the Indies to me ; 
Ye know not how kind and how steadfast of mind 
The soldier to sorrow can be. 

They know well how lonely, 

How grievously wrung. 
Is the heart that its only 
Love loses so young 
And they closed his dark eyes when the battle was o'er, 
And sent his old father the sword that he wore. 



STAES IN MY COUNTRY'S SKY. 

BY L. H. SIGOUENEY. 

Aee ye all there 'i Are ye all tliere, 

Stars of my country's sky ? 
Are ye all there ? Are ye all there, 

In your shining homes on high ? 

4 



00 LTRICSOFTHEWAK. 

" Count US ! Count us," was their answer, 
As tliey dazzled on my view, 

In glorious perihelion, 
Amid their field of blue. 

I cannot count ye rightly ; 

There's a cloud with sable rim ; 
I cannot make your number out, 

For my eyes with tears are dim. 
Oh ! bright and blessed Angel, 

On white wing floating by, 
Help me to count and not to miss 

One star in my country's sky ! 

Then the Angel touched mine eyelids, 

And touched the frowning cloud ; 
And its sable rim departed, 

And it fled with murky shroud. 
There was no missing Pleiad, 

'Mid all that sister race ; 
The Southern Cross gleamed radiant fortJi, 

And the Pole star kept its place. 

Then I knew it was the Angel 

Who woke the hymning strain, 
That at our dear Pedeemer's birth 

Peeled out o'er Bethlehem's plain ; 
And still its heavenly key-tone 

My listening country held, 
For all her constellated stars 

The diapason swelled. 



OAEIEDEVISITE, 51 

CAETE DE YISITE. 

ANONYMOUS. 

" 'TwAS a terrible fight," the soldier said ! 
" Our Colonel was one of the first to fall, 
Shot dead on the field by a rifle ball, — 

A braver heart than his never bled." 

A group for the painter's art were they : 
The soldier with scarred and sunburnt face, 
A fair-haired girl, full of youth and grace, 

And her aged mother, wrinkled and gray. 

These three in porch, where the sunlight came 
Through the tangled leaves of the jasmine-vine, 
Spilling itself like a golden wine. 

And flecking the doorway with rings of flame. 

The soldier had stopped to rest by the way, 
For the air was sultry with summer-heat ; 
The road was like ashes under the feet, 

And a weary distance before him lay. 

" Yes, a terrible fight : our Ensign was shot 
As the order to charge was given the men, 
When one from the ranks seized our colors, andthcD 

He, too, fell dead on the self-same spot. 

" A handsome boy was this last ! his hair 
Clustered in curls round his noble brow ; 
I can almost fancy I see him now, 

"With the scarlet stain on liis face so fail*." 

" What was his name ? — have you never heard ? — 
Where was he from, this youth who fell ? 
And your regiment, stranger, which was it ? tell I" 

" Our regiment ? It was the Twenty-third." 



52 LYRICSOFTHEWAE. 

The color fled from the young gu4's cheek, 
Leaving it as white as the face of the dead ; 
The mother lifted her eyes, and said : 

" Pity my daughter — in mercy speak !" 

" I never knew aught of this gallant youth," 
The soldier answered ; " not even his name, 
Or from what part of our State he came : — 

As God is above, I speak the truth I" 

" But when we buried our dead that night, 
I took from his breast this picture, — see I 
It is as like him as like can be : 

Hold it this way, toward the light." 

One glance, and a look, half-sad, half- wild, 
« Passed over her face, which grew more pale. 

Then a passionate, hopeless, heart-broken wail, 
And the mother bent low o'er the prostrate child. 



LYOK. 

H. P. 

Sing, bird, on green Missouri's plain, 

The saddest song of sorrow ; 
Drop tears, O clouds, in gentlest rain 

Ye fr^m the winds can borrow ; 
Breathe out, ye winds, your softest sigh, 

"Weep flowers, in dewy splendor. 
For him who knew well how to die, 

But never to surrender. 



LYON. 

Up rose serene tlie August sun, 

Upon that day of glory ; 
Up curled from musket and from gun 

The war-cloud gray and hoary ; 
It gathered like a funeral pall, 

Now broken and now blended,- 

Where rang the buflalo's angry call, 

And rank with rank contended. 

Four thousand men, as brave and true 

As e'er went forth in daring, 
Upon the foe that morning threw 

The strength of their despairing. 
They feared not death, — men bless the field 

That patriot soldiers die on ; 
Fair Freedom's cause was sword and shield,-- 

And at their head was Lyon ! 

Their leader's troubled soul looked forth 

From eyes of troubled brightness ; 
Sad soul ! the burden of the IN'orth 

Had pressed out all its lightness. 
He gazed upon the unequal fight. 

His ranks all rent and gory. 
And felt the shadows close like night 

Kound liis career of glory. 

" General, come, lead us !" loud the cry 

From a brave band was ringing, — 
" Lead us, and we will stop, or die, ; ; 

That battery's awful singing." 
He spurred to where his heroes stood. 

Twice wounded, — no wound knowing, — 
The fire of battle in his blood 

And on his forehead glowing. 



63 



64 LYEICSOFTHEWAK. 

Oil, cursed for aye tliat traitor's hand, 

And cursed that ami so deadly 
"Which smote the bravest of the land, 

And dyed his bosom redly ! 
Serene he lay while past him pressed 

The battle's furious billow, 
As calmly as a babe may rest 

Upon its mother's pillow. 

So Lyon died ! and Avell may flowers 

His place of burial cover, 
For never had this land of ours 

A more devoted lover. 
Living', his country w^as his bride, 

His life he gave her dying, — 
Life, fortune, love, — he naught denied 

To her and to her si<>:hino;. 
• 

Rest, Patriot, in thy hill-side grave, 

Beside her form who bore thee ! 
Long may the land thou died'st to save 

Pier bannered stars wave o'er thee I 
Upon her history's brightest page, 

And on Fame's glowing portal, 
She'll write thy grand, heroic page. 

And grave thy name immortal I 



"OUT 11^ THE COLD." 

"What is the threat ? " Leave her out in the cold !" 
Loyal New England, too loyally bold : 
Hater of treason,— ah ! that is her crime ! 
Lover of Freedom, — too true for her time 1 



" O U T I N T H E C O L D ." 55 

Out in the cold ? Oli, she chooses the place, 
Kather than share in a sheltered disgrace ; 
Rather than sit at a cannibal feast ; 
Rather than mate with the blood-reeking beast ! 

Leave out New England ? And what will she do, 

Stormy-browed sisters, forsaken by you ? 

Sit on her Rock, her desertion to weep ? 

Or, like a Sappho, plunge thence in the deep ? 

'No ; our l^ew England can put on no airs, — 
[Nothing will change the calm look that she wears : 
Life's a rough lesson she learned from the first. 
Up into wisdom through poverty nursed. 

'Not more, distinct on his tables of stone 
Was the grand wi'iting to Moses made known, 
Than is engraven, in letters of light, 
On her foundations the One Law of Right. 

She is a Christian : she smothers her ire. 
Trims up the candle, and stirs the home fire ; 
Thinking and working and waiting the day 
When her wild sisters shall leave their mad play. 

Out in the cold, where the free winds are blowing ; 
Out in the cold, where the strong oaks are growing ; 
Guards she all growths that are living and great, — 
Growths to rebuild every tottering State. 

" Notions" worth heeding to shape she has wrought, 
Lifted and fixed on the granite of thought : 
What she has done may the wide world behold ! 
What she is doing, too, out in the cold ! 

Out in the cold ! she is glad to be there. 
Breathing the north wind, the clear healthful air ; 



56 LYKICSOFTHEWAE. 

Saved from the humcane passions that rend 
Hearts that once named her a sister and friend. 

There she will stay, while they bluster and foam, 
Planning their comfort when they shall come home ; 
Building the Union an adamant wall, 
Freedom-cemented, that never can fall. 

Freedom, — dear-bought with the blood of her sons,— 
See the red current ! right nobly it runs ! 
Life of her life is not too much to give 
For the dear Nation she taught how to live. 

Vainly they shout to you, sturdy Northwest I 
'Tis her own heart that beats warm in your breast ; 
Sisters in nature as well as in name ; 
Sisters in loyalty, true to that claim. * 

Freedom your breath is, O broad-shonldered North ! 
Turn from the subtle miasma gone forth 
Out of the South land, from Slavery's fen, 
Battening demons, but poisoning men ! 

Still on your Kock, my New England, sit sure, 
Keeping the air for the great country pure ! 
There you the " wayward" ones yet shall enfold : 
There they will come to you, out in the cold I 



THE WOODS OF TENNESSEE, 

ANONYMOUS. 

The whip-poor-will is calling 

From its percli on the splintered limb, 

And the plaintive notes are echoing 
Through the aisles of the forest dim : 



THE WOODS OF TE2TNEBBEE. 67 

Tlie slanting threads of starliglit 

Are silvering shrub and tree, 
And the spot where the loved are sleeping, 

In the woods of Tennessee. 

The leaves are gently rustling, 

But they're stained with a tinge of red — 
For they proved to many a soldier 

Their last and lonely jjed. 
As tliey prayed in mortal agony 

To God to set them free, 
Death touched them with his finger, 

In the woods of Tennessee. 

In the list of the killed and wounded, 

Ah, me ! alas ! we saw 
The name of our noble brother, 

Who went to the Southern war. 
He fell in the tide of battle 

On the banks of the old " Ilatchie," 
And rests 'neath the wild grape arbors 

In the woods of Tennessee.'"* 

There's many still forms lying 

In their forgotten graves, 
On the green slope of the liill-sideB 

Along Potomac's waves ; 
But the memory will be ever sweet 

Of him so dear to me, 
On his country's altar offered. 

In the woods of Tennessee. 



58 L Y It I 8 O F T HE WAR. 

A :n a i' IM:: a l . 

UY OLIVEIi WKNiri'iLL HOLMES. 

LiflTKN, yoim;.^' Iici'ooh! your country is calllno'l 
Tliuc, t^li-ikos the hour I'or tlic jjrave and tlio true I 

JNow, wliilo ilic I'orcmost are fighting and falling, 
Fill np the ranks tliai have opened for youl 

You whom the fathers made free and defended, 
Stain not the Hcroll tliat eiiiLla^^ons tlieir famol 

You whose fair lieritnge spotless descended, 
Leave not your child i-en a hirthriglit of shame 1 

Stay not for (juestions whihj ]4-(!cdoin stands gasping I 
Wait not till Honor lies wrapped in his pall ! 

Brief the lips' meeting be, swift the hands' clasping,— 
" Off for the wars !" is onorigli for tliem all. 

Break irom tiu! iirnis that would fondly caress you? , 
Hark 1 'tis tlic hugle-blast, sabres are drawn 1 

Mothers shall pray for you, fathers shall bless you. 
Maidens shall weep for you when you are gonel 

Never or now! ci-ies tlie blood of a nation. 

Poured on the turf whore th(! I'cd rose should bloom ; 

Now is the day and the hour of salvation, — 
Never or now ! peals the trumpet of dooml 

Never or now 1 roars the hoarse-throated cannoii 
Through the black canopy blotting the skies; 

Never or now ! Jlaps the shell-blasted pennon 
O'er the deep ooze whore the Cumberland lies I 

From the foul dens whcu-o our Iti'othcrs are dvinjr. 
Aliens and foes in the land of their birth, — 

From the rank swamps where our martyrs are lying 
Pleading iu vain for a handful of earth, — 



T U E V A li U N A . 59 

From tliG Lot plains where thej perish outnumbered, 
Furrowed and ridged by the battle-field's plougli, 

Comes the loud suinrnons ; too long jou have slumbered, 
Hear the last Angel-trump — Kever or Xow ! 



As died the " Cumberland" so died the "Varuna! — Koble 
Bhips and noble crews ! 

THE VARUNA. 

BUNK APIilL TW£NTY-FIFTn, 1802. 
BY GEOEGE U. BOKEJB. 

"Wno has not heard of the dauntless Varuna ? 

Who has not heard of the deeds she has done ? 
Who shall not hear, while the brown Mississippi 

Kushes along from the snow to the sun ? 

Crippled and leaking she entered the battle, 

Sinking and burning she fought through the fray, 

Crushed were her sides and tlie waves ran across her, 
Ere, like a death-wounded lion at bay, 

Sternly she closed in the last fatal grapple, 
Then in her triumph moved grandly away. 

Five of the rebfels, like satellites, round her, 
Burned in her orbit of splendor and fear : 

One, like the pleiad of mystical story. 

Shot, terror-stricken, beyond her dread sphere. 

We who are waiting with crowns for the victors, 
Though we should offer the wealth of our store, 

Load the Varuna from deck down to kelson, 
Still would be niggard, such tribute to pour 

On courage so boundless. It beggars possession, 
It knocks for just payment at heaven's bright doorl 



60 LYKICSOFTHEWAE. 

Cherisli the heroes who fought the Yarima ; 

Treat them as kings if they honor your way 
Succor and comfort the sick and the wounded ; 

Oh ! for the dead, let us all kneel to pray. 



THE FLOWER OF LIBEETY. 

BY OLIVEK WENDELL HOLMES. 

"What flower is this that greets the mom, 

Its hues from heaven so freshly born ? 

With burning star and flaming band 

It kindles all the sunset land ; — 

O, tell us what its name may be ! 

Is this the Flower of Liberty ? 
It is the banner of the free, 
The starry Flower of Liberty I 

In savage Nature's far abode 
Its tender seed our fathers sowed ; 
The storm winds rocked its swelling bud, 
Its opening leaves were streaked with blood, 
Till, lo ! earth's tyrants shook to see 
The full blown Flower of Liberty ! 
Then hail the banner of the free, 
The stany Flower of Liberty ! 

Behold its streaming rays unite 

One mingling flood of braided light, — 

The red that fires the Southern rose. 

With spotless white from Northern snows, 

And spangled o'er its azure, see 

The sister stars of Liberty ! 

Then hail the banner of the free, 
The starry Flower of Liberty 1 



DIEGE FOE A 60LDIEE. 61 

The blades of heroes fence it round, 
Where'er it springs is holy ground ; 
From tower and dome its glories spread ; 
It waves where lonely sentries tread ; 
It makes the land as ocean free, 
And plants an empire on the sea ! 

Then hail the banner of the free, 

The starry Flower of Liberty ! 

Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedom's flower, 
Shall ever float on dome and tower. 
To all their heavenly colors true, 
In blackening frost or crimson dew, — 
And God love us as we love thee. 
Thrice holy Flower of Liberty ! 

Then hail the banner of the free, 

The starry Flower of Liberty 1 



DIEGE FOE A SOLDIEE. 

m MEMOEr OF GEXEKAL PHILIP KEAENT. 
BY GEOEGE H. BOKEE. 

Close his eyes, his work is done ! 

"What to him is friend or foeman, 
Eise of moon, or set of sun, 
Hand of man, or kiss of woman 
Lay him low, lay him low. 
In the clover or the snow ! 
What Gares he ? he cannot know ■ 
Lay him low I 



62 LYEICSOFTHEWAE. 

As man may, he foiiglit lais fight 

Proved his truth by his endeavor ; 
Let him sleep in solemn night, 
Sleep forever and forever. 

Lay him low, lay him low, 
Li the clover or the snow ! 
What cares he ? he cannot know : 
Lay him low ! 

Fold him in his country's stars, 

Koll the drum and fire the volley 1 
What to him are all our wars. 
What but death bemocking folly 2 
Lay him low, lay him low. 
In the clover or the snow ! 
What cares he ? he cannot know : 
Lay him low I 

Leave him to God's watching eye, 

Trust him to the hand that made him. 
Mortal love weeps idly by : 

God alone has power to aid him. 
Lay him low, lay him low, 
In the clover or the snow ! 
What cares he ? he cannot know : 
Lay him low ! 



THE REFUGEE. 

BT SAMUEL ECKEL, OF EAST TENNESSEE. 

LoxE upon the mountain summit. 
Watching through the weary night, 

For the cheering heart-glow glimmer 
Of the Union. camp-fire's light ; 



THE REFUGEE. 

Starting at the slightest rustle 
In the leaves above my head ; 

Seeing foes in every shadow, 

■\Vhile the morning light I dread* 

In the distance, far below me, 
Tented foes I dunly trace ; 

The oppressors of my children, 
And the tyrants of my race. 

I am black,— I sadly know it,— 
And for that I am a slave ; 

But I have a soul within me 
That will live beyond the grave. 

Oft at noon, when I've been sitting 
'Keath some shady orange tree, 

Every breeze would whisper to mo 
That I must, I w^ould be free. 

Sadly I have mourned for freedom, 
But its breath I never drew ; 

Sadly mourn I for my children, 
They, alas ! are chattels too. 

Look ! the morning dawns upon me ; 

In the distant vale afar, 
I behold a banner floating, 

I can see each stripe and star. 

There I'll go and seek protection ; 

And I ask, O God, of Thee, 
That my cherished prayer be granted : 

Make oppressed bondmen free I 



63 



64 LYEICfiOFTHEWAE. 

TO MY CHILDKEN". 

BY A 60LDIEK IN THE AJJMT. 

Darlings — I am weary pining : 
Shadows fall across ray way ; 
I can hardly see the lining 
Of the clouds — the silver lining, 
Turning darkness into day. 

I am weary of the sighing ; 

Moaning — wailing through the air ; 
Breaking hearts, in anguish crying 
For the lost ones— for the dying. 

Sobbing anguish of despau*. 

I am weary of the fighting : 

Brothers, red with brother's gore. 
Only, that the wrong we're righting, — 
Truth and Honor's battle fighting, — 
I would draw my sword no more. 

I am pining, dearest, pining, 
For your kisses on my cheek ; 

For your dear arms round me twining ; 

For your soft eyes on me shining ; 

For your lov'd words ; darlings — speak I 

Tell me, in your earnest prattle. 
Of the olive branch and dove ; 

Call me from the cannon's rattle ; 

Take my thoughts away from battle ; 
Fold me in your dearest love. 

Darlings — I am weary pining : 
Shadows fall across my way ; 
I can hardly see the lining 
Of the cloud|t — the silver lining ; 
Turning darkness into day. 



ON THE SnOEES OF TENNESSEE. 65 



ON THE SHOEES OF TENNESSEE. 

Move my arm-cliair, faithful Pompey, 

In the sunshine bright and strong, 
For this workl is fading, Pompey, — 

Massa won't be with you long ; 
And I fain would hear the south wind 

Bring once more the sound to me. 
Of the wavelets softly breaking 

On the shores of Tennessee. 

" Mournful though the ripples murmur, 

As they still the story tell, 
How no vessels float the banner 

That I've loved so long and well ; 
I shall listen to their music. 

Dreaming that again I see 
Stars and Stripes on sloop and shallop 

Sailing up the Tennessee. 

" And Pompey, while old Massa's waiting 

For Death's last dispatch to come, 
If that exiled, starry banner 

Should come proudly sailing home, 
Tou shall greet it, slave no longer ; — 

Yoice and hand shall both be free 
That shout and point to Union colors 

On the waves of Tennessee." 

" Massa's berry kind to Pompey ; 

But ole darkey's happy here, 
"Wliere he's tended corn and cotton 

For 'ese many a long gone year. 



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02C THE SnOEES OF TENNESSEE. 67 

With Ills dark-lmed liand nplifteci, 

Shading eyes, he bends to see 
"Where the woodland, boldly jutting, 

Turns aside the Tennessee. 

Thus he watches clond-born shadows 

Glide from tree to mountain ci-est, 
Softly creeping, aye and ever 

To the river's yielding breast. 
Ha ! above the foliage yonder 

Something flutters wild and fi-ee! 
"Massa! Massa ! Hallelujah! 

The llag's come back to Tennessee I 

" Pompey, hold me on your shoulder, 

Help me stand on foot once more, 
That I may salute the colors 

As they pass my cabin door ; 
Ilero's the paper signed that frees you. 

Give a freeu\au's shout with me — 
" God and Vnion I' be our watchword 

Evermore in Tennessee." 

Then the troniMing voice grow fainter, 

And the liiubs refused to stand ; 
One prayer to Jesus — and the soldier 

Glided to that better laud. 
When the tlag went down the river 

IMau and nu\ster both were free, 
While the ringdove's note was mingled 

AYith the rippling Tennessee. 



C8 LTEICSOFTHEWAK. 



LAST WORDS. 

BY HOEATIO ALGEE, JE. 

" Deae Charlie," breathed a soldier- 

" O, comrade, true and tried, 
"Who in the heat of battle 

Pressed closely to my side ; 
I feel that I am stricken, 

My life is ebbing fast ; 
I fain wonld have you with me, 

Dear Charlie, till the last. 

" It seems so sudden, Charlie ; 

To think to-morrow's sun 
Will look upon me lifeless, 

And I not twenty-one ! 
I little dreamed this morning 

'Twould bring my last campaign • 
God's ways are not as our ways, 

And I will not complain. 

" There's one at home, dear Charlie, 

Will mourn for me, when dead, 
Whose heart — it is a mother's — 

Can scarce be comforted. 
You'll write and tell her, Charlie, 

With my dear love, that I 
Fought bravely as a soldier should, 

And died as he should die. 

" And you will tell her, Charlie, 
She must not grieve too much ; 

Our country claims our young lives. 
For she has need of such. 



LASTWOKDS. 69! 

And where is lie would falter, 

Or turn ignobly back, 
"When Duty's voice cries ' Forward !' 

And Honor lights the track ? 

" And there's another, Charlie, 

(His voice became more low,) 
When thoughts of Iter come o'er me, 

It makes it hard to go. 
This locket in my bosom. 

She gave me just before 
I left my native village. 

For the fearful scenes of war. 

" Give her this message, Charlie, 

Sent with my dying breath: 
To her and to my banner, 

I'm ' faithful unto death.' 
And if, in that far country . 

Which I am going to. 
Our earthly ties may enter, 

I'll there my love renew. 

" Come nearer, closer, Charlie ; 

My head I fain would rest, 
It must he for the last time. 

Upon your faithful breast. 
Dear friend, I cannot tell you 

How in my heart I feel 
The depth of your devotion, — 

Your friendship strong as steel. 

« We've watched and camped together 

In sunshine and in rain ; 
We've shared the toils and perils 

Of more than one campaign ; 



rO LYKICSOFTHEWAR. 

And when my tired feet faltered 
Beneatli the noontide heat, 

Yonr words sustained my conrage,— 
Gave new strength to my feet. 

" And once, — 'twas at Antietam, — 
Pressed hard by thronging foes, 

I ahnost sank exhausted 
Beneath their cruel blows, — 

Wlien you, dear friend, undaunted, 
With headlong courage threw 

Your lieart into the contest. 

And safely brought me through. 

" My words are weak, dear Charlie, 

My breath is growing scant ; 
Your hand upon my heart — there, 

Can you not hear me pant ? 
Your thoughts I know will wander 

Sometimes to where I lie : 
How dark it grows ! True comrade 

And faithful friend, good-by !" 

A moment, and he lay there 

A statue pale and calm, 
His youthful head reclining 

Upon his comrade's arm. 
His limbs upon the greensward 

Were stretched in careless grace, 
And by the fitful moon was seen 

A smile upon his face. 



THEFUKLOUGH. 71 

THE FUELOUGH. 

A]!TONYMOUS. 

Once more the music of Iiis step 

Kings on the gravel path. 
Once more I meet his living eyes, 

And hear his boyish langh. 
Once more one arm is round me thi'own, 

But through my tears I see 
The other palsied by his side, — 

His badge of loyalty. 

Day that I did not hope to see ; 

Yet over all the bliss 
There hangs a web of memory 

Kot all unlike to this. 
I'm thinking of a dream that came 

When she had passed away, — 
One star, whose vanishing so turned 

To night our summer day. 

I dreamed, amid the garden walk 

I wandered when a child, 
Her face looked out amid the flowers, 

And on me sweetly smiled. 
I clasped again the tiny form. 

As mothers only may, 
And yet, and yet, I sighing sobbed, 

With me she cannot stay. 

Her mission here is past, I said ; 

And fragTance from the flowers, 
A fancy strange, she gathered up, 

I thought for heavenly bowers. 



72 LYKICSOFTIIEWAE. 

Unlike tlie scene, yet similar, 

The fountain of the tear 
That rises at the sight of him, 

Mj sturdy volunteer. 

Too short these golden autumn days 

So canopied with blue ; 
The hours drop as the dropping leaves, — 

As glorious their hue. 

We almost bless the fatal aim 

That felled the stalwart arm. 
And gave us for a year of pain, 

These days of sunny calm. 
But soon the unnerved pulse will feel 

The hero-current flow. 
And then the soul will mount again 

To meet the dreadful foe. 

O, not alone for fireside bliss, 

And not for pleasant toys. 
Are we to train our darling girls. 

Our lion-hearted boys. 
Some beckon us to heavenly seats 

Amid celestial choirs ; 
While through the night we pray for some 

Around the lone camp-fires. 



THE SOLDIEK'S DEATH. 

BY NANCY A. W. PKIEST. 

They bore him to a cool and grassy place, 
So motionless they almost deemed him dead, 

And fanned with tender care the pallid face. 
And with pure water bathed his drooping head, 



T li P: S O L D I E K ' 6 DEATH. 73 

Till his eyes opened, and a languid smile 

Played round Iiis dying lips ; and \\'hen he spoke, 

They hushed their very breath to listen, v/hile 
That lovr, faint murmur on the cairn air broke. 

" Comrades, my waning life is almost fled ; 

Death's dampness gathers on my bro^v and cheek, 
And from this gaping wound the bullet made, 

The crimson life-blood oozes while I speak. 
I shall be resting quietly, ere long, 

And shall not need your love and tender care ; 
Your hearts are valiant and your arms are strong, 

Go back, my comrades, — you are needed there. ^ 

" But bear me first to yonder grassy sod. 

Whence I can turn my eyes upon the fight ; 
Gently — there. Leave me now alone with God, 

And go you back to battle for the right." 
Then his mind wandered ; and the beating drum, 

The roar of cannon and the din of strife. 
Changed to familiar, far-ofi" sounds of home, 

Or sweet, low tones of mother, child, or wife. 

And the receding battle's frequent shocks, 

Softened by distance, coming on the breeze, 
Seemed to him like the bleating of the flocks, 

Or hiveward murmur of the laden bees ; 
Until there came a mighty shout at length, 

A cry that rose and swelled to " victor}''," 
And, opening his dim eyes with sudden strength, 

He saw the foeman's ranks divide, and fly. 

He rose,— he sat erect in his own blood ; 

His heart thi-obbed joyfully as when a boy ; 
" They fly, they fly !" he cried, and up to God 

His spirit passed on that last shout of joy. 



74 LYKICSOFTHEWAK. 

And so tliey found liim when tliey sought him therej 
Lifeless and cokl in tliat sechidcd place, — 

The rigid fingers clasped as if in prayer, 
And that last smile of triumph on his face. 



AFTEE THE YICTOEIES. 

BY HOWAKD GLTNDCiJf, 

Ha ! the wine-press of pain hath been trodden 1 

And suffering's meed mantles high, — 
The perfect, rare wine, wrought of patience, 

It moveth aright to the eye ! 
Oh ! dark was the night while we trampled 

Its death-purple grapes under foot ; 
And no song parted silence from darkness, 

Eor Liberty's sibyl was mute ! 

And the fiends of the lowest were loosened, 

To persecute Truth at their will ! 
They spat on her white shining forehead, 

She standing unmoved and still ! 
The liiss of the white-blooded coward. 

The vile breath of Calumny's brood. 
Befouled and bedarkened the Kingdom, 

And poisoned the place where we stood I 

We — treading the ripe grapes asunder, 

With fiiiling and overworked feet ; 
Alone in the terrible darkness — 

Alone in the stifling heat — • 
With agony-drops raining over 

Our weak hands from desolate brows ; 
With a deadlier pain in our spuits. 

O'er whose failure no promise arose ! 



AFTEETjIEVICTOKY. 75 

Shook tlie innermost being of justice, 

Stirred the innermost pulse of our God ; 
With a cry of remonstrance whose anguish 

Frightened devils and saints from its road ! 
All the pain of a long-martyred nation, — 

All its giant-heart's overtasked strength, — 
In one Samson-like throe were unfettered, 

Standing up for a hearing at length ! 

And — even as we fell in the darkness — 

Falling down, with our mouths in the dust ; 
"With toil-stained and redlj'-dyed garments 

That betokened us true to our trust, 
When the laugh of the scoiFer was loudest, 

And the clapping of cowardly hands, 
A glory blazed out from the Westward, 

That startled the far distant lands ! 

Ha ! the wine-press of pain hath been trodden I 

Now summon the laborers forth ! 
Let them come in their redly-dyed garments, 

The lion-browed sons of the JSTorth ! 
Not for failure their veins have been leavened 

With the vintage of Sevekty-six ! 
Nor unworthy the blood of onr heroes 

With its rare olden currents to mix ! 

Ha ! Conquerors ! Come ye ont boldly, 

Full fronting our reverent eyes ! 
In the might of your glorious manhood, 

Ye Saviours of Freedom, arise ! 
Come out in your sun-ripened grandeur. 

Ye victors, who wrestled with wrong ! 
Come ! toil-worn and weary with battle — 

We greet you with shout and with song ! 



76 LTEIC80FTHEWAK. 

OUE UNION. 
BY ALFKED B. BTKEET. 

OuK Union, tlie gift of our fathers ! 

In wrath roars the tempest above ! 
The darker and nearer our danger, 

The warmer and closer our love ; 
Though stricken, it never shall perish ; 

It bends, but not breaks, to the blast 
Foes rush on in fury to rend it, 

But we will be true to the last; 

Our Union, ordained by Jehovah, — 

Man sets not the fiat aside ! 
As well cleave the welkin asunder 

As the one mighty system divide. 
The grand Mississippi sounds ever. 

From pine down to palm the decree ; 
The sj)indle, the corn, and the cottou^— 

One paean-shout, Union, to thee ! 

Our Union, the lightning of battle 

First kindled the flame of its shrine 1 
The blood and the tears of our people 

Have made it forever divine. 
In battle we then will defend it ! 

Will fight till the triumph is won ! 
Till the States foim the realm of the Union 

As the sky forms the realm of the sim. 



THE FISHERMAN OF BEAUFORT. 77 



THE FISHEEMAK OF BEAUFOET. 

BY MRS. FRANCES D, GAGE. 

The tide comes np, and tlie tide goes down, 

And still tlie fislierma,n's boat, 
At early dawn and at evening shade, 

Is ever and ever afloat : 
His net goes down, and liis net comes np, 

And we hear his sons; of fflee : 
" De fishes dey hates de ole slaves' nets, 

But comes to de nets of de free." 

The tide comes up, and the tide goes down, 

And the oysterman below 
Is picking away, in the slimy sands. 

In the sands ob de long ago. 
But now if an empty hand he bears, 

He shudders no more with fear, 
There's no sti'etching board for the aching bones, 

And no lash of the overseer. 

The tide comes up, and the tide goes down, 

And ever I hear a song, 
As the moaning winds, through the moss-hung oaks, 

Sweep surging ever along : 
" O massa white man ! help de slave, 

And de wife and chillen too ; 
Eber dey'l! work, wid de hard, worn hand, 

Ef ell gib 'em de work to do." 

The tide comes up, and the tide goes down, 

But it bides no tyrant's word, 
As it chants unceasing the anthem grand 

Of its Freedom, to the Lord. 



78 i^YEICSOFTHEWAB 

The fislierman floating on its breast 
Has caught up the key-note true : 

"De sea works, massa, for't sef and God, 
And so must be brack man too. 

" Den gib him""" de work, and gib him de pay, 

For de chillen and ^vife him love ; 
And de yam shall grow, and de cotton shall blow, 

And him nebber, nebber rove ; 
For him love de ole Carlina State, 

And de ole magnolia-tree : 
Oh ! nebber him trouble de icy Korf 

Ef de brack folks am go free." 



WHEN THE GEEAT EEBELLION'S OYER 

ANONYMOUS. 

Climbed the baby on her knee, 

"With an airy childish grace ; 

Prattled in her lovely face, — 
" "When will papa come to me ''"' 

" Papa ?" soft the mother cried — 
" Papa ! ah ! the naughty rover ! 

Sweet, my pet, he'll come to thee 
When the great Rebellion's over !" 

" Mamma once had rosy cheeks. 
Danced and sang a merrj^ tune ; 
"Now she rocks me 'neath the moon, 

Sits and sighs, but scarcely speaks." ' 

* The colored people use the word '•him" for "up," and apply tlio same pro-- 
noun to animate and insuiimato objects, whether of mascuUne, feminine, or neutbf 
gender. 



WHEN THE GKEAT EESELLION's OVER. 79 

Sad the smile the mother wore : — 
. " Sweet, mamma has lost her lover. 
She will blusli ;:ii;l sing no more 
Till the great Eebellion's over ! 



" Till the hush of peace shall comej • 

Like a quiet fall of snow, 

And the merry troops shall go 
Marching back to hearts at home." — 

" Papa — home ?" the baby lisped. 
Balmy breathed as summer clover; 

" Yes, my darling, home at last, 
"When the sad Eebellion's over !" 

Entered at the open door, 

While the mother soothed her child, 

One who neither spoke nor smiled, 
Standing on the sunny floor. 

Wistful eyes met mournful eyes, 
Hope took flight, like airy plover. 

Ah ! poor heart, thou'lt wait in vain 
Till the great Eebellion's over ! 

Heart, poor heart ! too weak to save : 
Yain your tears, — ^your longings vain,- 
Summer winds and summer rain 

Beat already on his grave ! 
From the flag upon his breast, 

(Truer breast it ne'er shall cover !) 
From its mouldering colors, vret 
With his blood, shall spring beget 
Lily, rose, and violet. 

And wreath of purple clover. 
With the flag upon his breast, 



80 LYKICSOFTHEWAE. 

They have hid away your lover ;— 
Weep not, wail not ! let hini rest, 
Having bravely stood the test, 
He shall rank among the blest, 

"When the great Kebelliou's over ! 



bei:ng the heko home, 

m MEMOEY OF GENERAL E. D. BAKEK. 

He fell in the front of battle, 
Where the brave would wish to die, 

Rather than bow to the traitor, 
Or humble our banner and fly. 
Giving for all that was given 
Powder and lead and shell ; 

Front to front with their bravest, 
Undaunted, unconquered, he fell. 

To right and left and before him, 

A myriad host in power. 
Earth torn with thundering iron, 

Ail' rent with a leaden shower ; 

A river unbridged behind him, 

Rolling its angry tide, — ^ 

O'erpowered, betrayed, and deserted, 

A hero the patriot died. 

Died like the world's first martyr 

By the rebel hand of Cain, 
A victim on Blunder's red altar, 

Thi'ough others' incompetence slain. 

A sacrifice offered by Folly 

That tampered with precious life. 
By plunging his gallant legion 

In cruel and ]3urposeless strife. 



BEINGTHEHEEOHOME. 81 

He would not flee from the foeman, 

]N"or shame the heroes he led ; 
Eather than life bj surrender, 

Death with his own brave dead. 

Facing the rifle and cannon, 

Sulphur and sabre and frown. 
True to his country and honor, 

Our gallant " Gray Eagle" went down. 

Gather the dust of the mighi^, 

Sleeping so quietly there, 
"Wash out the blotches of crimson 

Clotting his silvery hair. 

Woe to the traitors whose bullets 

Have channelled a path for the stain, — 
That eloquent tongue stilled forever, 

And shattered that wonderful brain. 

Silenced and hushed and frozen, 

Tongue and lip and word. 
Brave as the spirit of Freedom, 

And true as his flashing sword ; 

Stilled the heart that quailed not. 

Before them in forum or field. 
That alone to Death would surrender, 

And only to Destiny yield. 

Take from the field where he battled, 

Uj) from the field v\'here he bled, 
His dust ; let no soil of the traitor 

Give grave to our glorious dead. 

For Liberty dwelt in his s^Dirit ; 

And freemen should fashion his grave 
Beneath free humanity's banner, 

And not the cursed flag of the slave. 



82 LYKICSOFTHEWAK. 

So liitlier, Lis relics bring liitlier, 
And let him pass gently to rest, 

Like Mars when his night march is ended, — 
Within his loved land of the "West ; 
Where Poesy, chanting in sorrow, 
Shall number the glories he won, 

And Eloqnenee, silent and weeping, 
Grieves for her favorite son. 

Where comes the voice of the West wind. 

From the unmanacled sea, 
Free as his chain-spurning spirit. 

Let his last dwelling-place be. 

Heaven's bright sentinels guarding, 

Types of his soul's clear flame. 
His requiem chanted by Ocean, 

Undying and grand as his fame. 



In the early part of the rebellion, a Mr, Eandall, of 
Southern proclivities, gave forth the following song, which, 
having some literary merits, and being set to music, was in 
the mouth of all secessiondom, and in the invasion of the State 
by General Lee's " liberating army" it was a sort of rallying 
song, but greatly to their disgust, it failed to touch the hearts 
of their friends, and this Southern ballad has scarce been 
heard of since : 

MY MAEYLAND. 

EY J. B. EAIS'DALL. 

The despot's heel is on thy shore, 

Maryland I 
His torch is at thy temple door, 

Maryland 1 



MY MARYLAND. 

Avenge tlie patriotic gore 

That wept o'er gallant Baltimore 

And be the battle-queen of yore, 

Maryland ! My Maryland ! 

Hark to a wandering son's appeal, 

Maryland ! 

My mother State, to thee I kneel, 

Maryland ! 

For life and death, for woe and vv^eal. 

Thy peerless chivalry reveal, 

And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel, 
Maryland ! My Maryland ! 

Thou wilt not cower in the dust, 

Maryland ! 
Thy beaming sword shall never rust, 

Maryland ! 
Remember Carroll's sacred, trust — 
Keraember Howard's warlike thrust — 
And all thy slumber ers with the just, 

Maryland ! My Maryland ! 

Come ! 'tis the red dawn of the day, 

Maryland ! 
Come with tliy panoplied array, 

Maryland ! 
With Ringgold's spirit for the fray. 
With Watson's blood at Monterey, 
With fearless Lowe and dashing May, 

Maryland ! My Maryland I 

Come ! for thy shield is bright and strong, 

Maryland ! 
Come ! for thy dalliance does thee wrong, 

Maryland ! 



84 LYEICSOFTHEWAK. 

Come to thine own heroic throng, 
That stalks with liberty along, 
And give a new Key to thy song, 

Maryland ! My Maryland! 

Dear mother ! bnrst thy tyrant's chain, 

Maryland ! 
Virginia should not call in vain, 

Maryland ! 
She meets her sisters on the plain, 
" Sic semper /" 'tis her proud refrain, 
That baffles minions back amain, 

Maryland I 
Arise in majesty again, 

Maryland ! My Maryland ! 

I see the blush upon thy cheek, 

Maryland ! 
But thou wast ever bravely meek, 

Maryland ! 
But lo ! there surges forth a shriek 
From hill to hill, from creek to cre^k, 
Potomac calls to Chesapeake, 
' Maryland ! My Maryland ! 

Thou wilt not yield the Yandal toll, 

Maryland ! 
Thou wilt not crook to his control, 

Maryland ! 
Better the iire upon the roll, 
Better the shot, the blade, the bowl, 
Than crucifixion of the soul, 

Maryland ! My Maryland ! 



MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND. 85 

I hear the distant thunder hum, 

Maryland ! 
The Old Line's bugle, fife and dmm, 

Maryland ! 
She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb. 
Huzza ! she spurns the Northern scum ! 
She breathes ! she bmns ! she'll come, she'll come I 
Maryland ! My Maryland ! 



In view of the preceding Southern song — by Eandall — ^but 
few will fail to appreciate the following, which was published 
Just after the precipitate and inglorious retreat of Lee's " liber- 
ating army." 



MAEYLAl^D, MY MAEYLAA^D. 

BY FINLEY JOHNSON. 

The " liberating army'''' came, 

Maryland, my Maryland, 
Polluting thy soil in Freedom's name, 

Maryland, my Maryland ; 
They came with " proclamations" loud, 
They came with dirty ^ ragged crowd, 
To wrap thee in Secession's shroud, 

Maryland, my Maryland. 

They marched along in bold an-ay, 

Maryland, my Maryland, 
Expecting on thy soil to stay, 

Maryland, my Maryland ; 



86 LYEICSOFTHEWAK. 

They came Trith bugle and with drum, 
They come from Hades, the very scum, 
To strike the sons of Freedom dumb, 
Maryland, my Maryland. 

But, oh ! thank God thy sons were true, 

Maryland, my Maryland, 
They scared and cursed the traitors' creto, 

Maryland, my Maryland ; 
"Well they remember Carroll's name, 
And thy " Old Line''' well known to fame, 
As yet unstained by breath of shame, 

Maryland, my Maryland. 

Cursed be the traitors on thy soil, 

Maryland, my Maryland, 
May their base acts on them recoil, 

Maryland, my Maryland, 
Strike for thy children and thy sires — 
Light on each hill the Union fires, 
Until each dastard foe expires, 

Maryland, my Maryland. 

Thy sons are standing finn, erect, 

Maryland, my Maryland, 
To traitors they'll not bow their neck, 
Maryland, my Maryland. 
They swear the rebels to remove, 
They swear it by their God above. 
They swear it by the land they love, 

Maryland, my Maryland. 

"We hear the marching Union song, 

Maryland, my Maryland ; 
"We see them coming thousands strong, 

Maryland, my Maryland. 



BONG OF THE SOLDIEES. 87 

"Wj3 bear the bugle and tbe drum, 
"We're cbasing off tbe cl'trty scum, 
Tbauk God tbe Union forces come, 
Maryland, my Maryland ! 



SOKG OF THE SOLDIEES. 

BY PEIVATE MILES o'kIELLY. 

Air — Jaime's on the Stormy Sea. 

CoaiKADES known in marcbes many, 
Comrades, tried in dangers many. 
Comrades, bound by memories many. 

Brothers ever let us be. 
"W ounds or sickness may divide us, 
Marching orders may divide us. 
But, whatever fate betide us, 

Brothers of the heart are we. 

Comrades, know by faith the clearest, 
Tried when death was near and nearest, 
Bound we are by ties the dearest. 

Brothers evermore to be. 
And, if spared, and growing older, 
Shoulder still in line with shoulder, 
And with hearts no thrill the colder. 

Brothers ever we shall be. 

By communion of the banner, — 
Crimson, white, and starry banner, — 
By the baptism of the banner, 

Children of one Church are we. 



t^S L Y U 1 O S O F T II I.: W A K . 

Creed nor faciion can diviilo iia, 
Ivace nor Luignnge can di^ ide us, 
Still, whatever fate betide ii:?, 

OhlUhvn of the Fhiir arc ayo 1 



TUE SKOAY AT FEEDEKTOKSIUTEG. 

ANONYMOUS. 

Dkii r over the slopes of the sunrise land, 

Oh wonderful, wonderful snow^ ! 
Oh ! pure as the breast of a virgiu saint, 

Drift tenderly, soil, and slow ! 
Over the slopes of the sunrise land, 

And into the haunteil dells 
Of the forests of pine, \\ here the robbing winds 

Are tuning tlunr uuMuorv bells. 

Into the forests of sighing pines, 

And over those yellow slopes. 
That seem but the work of tlie cleaving plough, 

That cover so many hopes ! 
They are many indeed, and straightly made, 

Not shapeu with loving care ; 
But the souls let out and the broken blades 

JVLay never be counted there ! 

Fall o^•er those lonely hero graves, 

Oh delicate, dropping snoM' ! 
Like the blessing of God's unfaltering love 

On the warrior heads below ! 
Like the tender sigh of a mother's soul, 

As she Avaiteth and watcheth for One 
Who will never come back tVoui the sunrise land 

When this terrible war is done. 



A iJ J U it A 'J ION. 

And }jcrc, wlicrc lietlx the Ligli of lieart, 

Drifl — v/hite as the bridal veil 
Tliat wiJl never be borne by the drooping girl 

Who Kitt<3t]i afar, bo pale. 
Fall, fant an the t<;arr: of the suffering wife, 

Who Btretelieth despairing hands 
Out to the blood-rich battle-fields 

Tliat criinBon the Eastern sands. 

Fall in thy virgin tenderness, 

Oh delicate bjjow, and cover 
The graves of our heroes, sanctified, — 

Husband and son and lover ! 
Drift tenderly over those yellow slopes, 

And mellow our deep distress, 
And put us in mind of the shriven souls 

And their mantles of righteousness ! 



■Olivee Wexdell Holmes, after the burial of the Massa- 
cliusetts dead, killed by the mob at Baltimore, penned this 
adjuration for the hour : 

Weave no more silks, ye Lyons looms. 

To deck our girls for gay delights ! 
The crimson flower of battle blooms, 

And solemn marches fill tKe nights. 

Weave but the flag whose bars to-day 
Drooped heavy o'er our early dead. 

And homely garments, coarse and grey. 
For oqjlians that must earn their bread 1 



90 LYKICSOFTHEWAK. 

Keep back your tunes, ye viols sweet, 
That pour delight from other lands ! 

Rouse there the dancer's restless feet — 
The trumj)et leads our warrior bands. 

"And ye that wage the war of words 
With mystic fame and subtile power, 

Go, chatter to the idle birds, 
Or teach the lesson of the hour ! 

Ye Sibyl Arts, in one stern knot 
Be all your offices combined ! 

Stand close, while Courage draws the lot, 
The destiny of humankind ! 

And if that destiny could fail, 

The sun should darken in the sky, 

The eternal bloom of J^ature pale, 

And God, and Truth, and Freedom die I 



Me. Albeet Boenitz on his humble camp couch penned the 
following beautiful dream of her from whom his hands, not 
his soul, was torn. 

"WAS IT A DREAM?" 

I SAT in her garden (or, was it a dream ?) 
At the quiet of night, in the middle of June : 

Below, through the lawn, flowed a musical stream, 
And above, in the cloudless expanse, huug the moon. 

Around us the roses were blushing with red, 
And the air held the odor of blossom and bud ; 

On my breast (did I dream it ?) was pillowed her head, 
And the flame of the roses went into our blood ! 



THE VETEEAN'S APPEAL. 91 

The fire of the roses went into our veins, 
And the hue of the roses stole over her face ! 

And her sighs, faintly heard, were raigelic refrains, 
As I folded lier form in my ardent embrace. 

Ah, golden-haired darling ! prond hazel-eyed queen ! 

Have I dreamed it ? or was it not audibly sighed, 
By a being whose presence was felt, though unseen. 

That our souls were forever and ever allied ? 

It may be that I dreamed it : but after the war. 

Should the Fates be propitious, the dream may prove true ; 

Should I perish in battle — then know that afar. 
In a land of romance, I am waiting for you. 



Bayaed Tayloe has charmingly worded the incident which 
it commemoriites, of the old soldier of 1812 pleading with 
General Scott for a place in the ranks of the Union. 

THE YETEEAN'S APPEAL. 

Ah old and crippled veteran to the War Department came, 
He sought the Chief who led him, on many a field of fame — 
The Chief who shouted " Forward !" where'er his banner rose, 
And bore his stars in triumph behind the flying foes. 

" Have you forgotten. General," the battered soldier cried, 
" The days of eighteen hundred twelve, v^hen I was at your 

side ? 
Have you forgotten Johnson, that fought at Lundy's Lane ? 
'Tis true, I'm old, and pensioned, but I v^ant to fight again." 



92 LTRICSOFTHEWAE. 

"Have I forgotten?" said tlie Chief: "my brave old soldier, 

lN"o! 
And here's the hand I gave you tJien, and let it tell you so ; 
But you have done your share, my friend ; you're crippled, 

old, and grey, 
And we have need of younger arms and fresher blood to-day." 

" But, General !" cried the veteran, a flush upon his brow ; 
" The very men who fought with us, they say, are traitors now ; 
They've torn tlie flag of Lundy's Lane, our old red, white, and 

blue, 
And while a drop of blood is left, I'll show that drop is true, 

" I'm not so weak but I can strike, and I've a good old gun 
To get the range of traitors' hearts, and pick them, one by one. 
Your Minie rifles and such arms it ain't worth while to try : 
I couldn't get the hang o' them, but I'll keep my powder 
dry!" 

" God bless you, comrade !" said the Chief — " God bless yom* 

loyal heart ! ■ 
But younger men are in the field, and claim to have their part. 
They'll plant our sacred banner in each rebellious town. 
And woe, henceforth to any hand, that dares to pull it down !" 

" But, General !" — still persisting, the weeping veteran cried ; 
" I'm young enough to follow, so long as you're my guide : 
And some, you know, must bite the dust, and that, at least, 

can I ; 
So, give the young ones place to fight, but me a place to die ! 

" If they should fire on Pickens, let the Colonel in command 
Put me upon the rampart, with the flag-staff in my hand ; 
ISTo odds how hot the cannon-smoke, or how the shells may fly, 
I'll hold the Stars and Stripes aloft, and hold them till I die ! 



ANOKTHEENEALLT, 93 

"I'm ready, General, so you let a post to me be giren, 
"Where Wasbiiigtou can see me, as he looks from liiglicst 

Heaven, 
And say to Putnam at liis side, or, may be. General Wayne ; 
' There stands old Billy Johnson, that fonght at Lundy's Lane !' 

" And when the fight is hottest, before the traitors fly ; 
W^hen shell and ball are screeching, and bursting in the sky, 
If any shot should hit ]ne, and lay me on my face, 
My soul would go to Washington's, and not to Arnold's place !" 



The following effusion is from a prominent Democratic 
Editor, Mr. John Clancy, in New York city, and is significant 
as showing the complete unanimity of parties at the Xorth as 



against this causeless war. 



A KORTHEEN EALLY. 

We've borne too long this Southern wrong, 

That ever sought to shame us; 
The threat and boast, the braggart toast, 

" That Southern men w^ould tame us." 
We've bent the knee to chivalry, 

Have borne the lie and scorning ; 
But now, thank God, our Northern blood 

Has roused itself from fawning. 

The issue's made, our flag's displayed, 

Let he who dare retard it ; 
"No cowards here grow pale wdth fear, 

For Xorthern swords now guard it. 
The men that won at Lexingion 

A name and fame in story. 
Were patriot sires, who lit the fires 

To lead their sons to glory. 



94 LTKICSOFTnEWAE, 

Like rusliing tide down mountain side, 

The !N'ortliern' hosts are sweeping ; 
Each freeman's breast to meet the test 

Witli patriot blood is leaping. 
IN'ow Southern sneer and bullies' leer, 

Will iind swift vengeance meted ; 
For never yet since foemen met 

Have Northern men retreated. 

United now, no more we'll bow, 
Or supplicate, or reason ; 

'Twill be our shame and lasting blame 
If we consent to treason. 

Then in the fight our hearts miite. 
One purpose move us ever ; 

"No traitor hand divide our land, 
* 1^0 power our country sever. 



" Let us alone" was the plausible cry of the rebels, from 
" Jeff." down to the craziest secessionist in all Dixie. Some 
wag of a poet in a Hartford paper has elucidated the " text" 
in the following handsome style. 



"LET US ALOKE!" 

As vonce I valked by a dismal swamp, 
There sot an Old Cove in the dark and damp. 
And at everybody that passed that road 
A stick or a stone this Old Cove throwed. 
And venever he flung his stick or his stone, 
He'd set up a song of " Let me alone." 



"let US alone!" 95 

" Let me alone, for I loves to shj 

Tliese bits of things at the passers by — 

Let me alone, for I've got your tin 

And lots of other traps snugly in — 

Let me alone, I'm riggin a boat 

To grab vol ever you've got afloat — 

In a veek or so I expect to come 

And turn you out of your 'ouse and 'ome — 

I'm a quiet Old Cove," says he, with a groan I 

" All I axes is — Let me alone." 

Just then came along, on the self same way, 

Another Old Cove, and began for to say — 

" Let you alone ! That's comin' it strong ! — 

You've been let alone — a darned siglit too long — 

Of all the sarce that ever I heered ! 

Put down that stick ! (You may well look skeered I) 

Let go that stone ! If you once show fight, 

I'll knock you higher than any kite. 

You must have a lesson to stop your tricks. 

And cure you of shying them stones and sticks, 

And I'll have my hardware back, and my cash, 

And knock your scow into tarnal smash. 

And if ever I catches you 'round imj ranch, 

I'll string you up to the nearest branch. 

The best you can do is to go to bed, 

And keep a decent tongue in your head ; 

For I reckon before you and I are done. 

You'll wish you had let honest folks alone." 

The Old Cove stopped, and the t'other Old Cove, 
He sot quite still in his cypress grove. 
And he looked at his stick, revolvin' slow, 
Yether 'twere safe to shy it or no — 
And he grumljled on, in an injured tone, 
" All that I axed vos, let me aloneP 



96 LYIilCSOFTHEW^K. 



AFTER ALL. 

BY WILLIA^I WmTEK. 

The apples are ripe in the orchard, 
The work of the reaper is done, 

And the golden woodlands redden 
In the blood of the dying sun. 

At the cottage-door the grandsire 

Sits pale in liis easy-chair, 
While the gentle wind of twilight 

Plays with his silver hair. 

A woman is kneeling beside him ; 

A fair yonng head is pressed, 
In the first wild passion of sorrow, 

Against liis aged breast. 

And far from over the distance 

The faltering echoes come 
Of the flying blast of trumpet, 

And the rattling roll of drum. 

And the grandsire speaks in a whisper ; 

" The end no man can see ; 
But we give him to his country. 

And we give our prayers to Thee." 

The violets star the meadows. 
The rose-buds fringe the door, 

And over the grassy orchard 
The pink-white blossoms pour. 



THE BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM. 97 

But tlie grandsire's chair is empty, 

TIio cottage is dark and still ; 
There's a nameless grave in the battle-field, 

And a new one under the hill. 

And a pallid, tearless woman 

By the cold hearth sits alone, 
And the old clock in the corner 

Ticks on with a steady drone. 



It is reported of the Army of the Cumberland, that often in 
going into battle, the whole line takes up the following popular 
and stirring battle cry. It is said by eye-witnesses to be a 
most imposing and thrilling scene ; the long lines of burnished 
steel flashing in the sun -light, and the wild shout and song of 
an hundred thousand men echoing along the valleys, — must 
be a spectacle indeed ! ' 

THE BATTLE CEY OF FKEEDOM I 

ANONYMOUS. 

Yes, we'll rally round the Flag, boys, we'll rally once again, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ; 
"We will rally from the hill-side, we'll gather from the plain, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 

Chorus. — The Union for ever ! hurrah ! boys, hurrah ! 
Down with the Traitor, up with the Star ! 
"While we rally round the Flag, boys, rally once again. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 

We are springing to the call of our Brothers gone before, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 

1 



08 LYEICSOFTHEWAK. 

^.nd we'll fill the vacant ranks witli a million Freemen more, 
Sliouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 

The Union for ever ! &c. 

"We will welcome to our numbers the boys all true and brave, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 
And although he may be poor, he shall never be a Slave, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 

The Union for ever! &c. 

So, we're springing to the call from the East and from the West, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 
And we'll hurl the Eebel crew from the land we love the best, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 

The Union for ever ! &c. 



The following beautiful and appropriate hymn was written 
by the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg, founder of St. Luke's hospital, 
in Jfew York, and writer of the immortal hymn, " I would 
not live always." It was submitted to President Lin- 
coln and his consent was obtained to have it called "Tub. 
President's Hymn." It was written for a special Thanks- 
giving day, for which it was admirably adapted. With very 
little preparation it can be produced in every Church in 
the land : 

THE PPvESIDENT'S HYMK 

Give thanks, all ye people, give thanks to the Lord — 
Alleluias of freedom, with joyful accord : 
Let the East and the West, North and South roll along 
Sea, mountain and prairie, one thanksgiving song. 

Chokus : — Give thanks, all ye people, give thanks to 
the Lord, 
Alleluias of freedom with jo}^ul accord. 



THE PRESIDENTS HYMN. \i 

For the siinsliine and rainfall enriching again 
Our acres in myriads, with treasures of grain ; 
For the Earth still unloading her manifold wealth ; 
For the skies beaming vigor, the winds breathing health : 

Give thanks — 

For the ISTation's wide table, o'erflowingly spread, 
Where the many have feasted and all have been fed, 
"With no bondage their God-given rights to enthrall, 
But liberty guarded by Justice for all : 

Give thanks — 

In the realms of the Anvil, the Loom, and the Plow, 
Whose the mines and the fields, to Him gratefully bow ; 
His the flocks, and the herds, sing ye hill-sides and vales ; 
On his Ocean domains chant his name with the gales. 

Give thanks — 

Of commerce and traffic, ye princes, behold 
Yohr riches from Him Whose the silver and gold, 
Happier children of Labor, true lords of the soil ; 
Bless the Great Master- Workman, who blesseth your toil. 

Give thanks — 

Brave men of our forces. Life-guard of our coasts. 
To your Leader be loyal, Jehovah of Hosts : 
Glow the Stripes and the Stars aye with victory bright, 
Keflecting His glory, — He crowneth the right. 

Give thanks — 

ISTor shall ye through our borders, ye stricken of heart, 
Only wailing your dead, in the joy have no part : 
God's solace be yours, and for you there shall flow 
All that honor and sympathy's gifts can bestow. 

Give thanks — 



100 LYEIC8 OF THE WAR. 

In the Domes of Messiah — ye Trorshiping throngs, 
Solemn litanies mingle with jubilant songs ; 
The Rnler of ]t>rations beseeching to spare, 
And .pur Empire still keep the elect of His care. 

Give thanks — . 

Our guilt and transgressions remember no more ; 
Peace, Lord ! righteous Peace, of Thy gift we implore ; 
And the Banner of Union restored by Thy Hand, 
Be the Banner of Freedom o'er All in the Land. 

Give thanks. 



ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, 



PICTUKES OF THE WAR. 



PART II. 




Y the camp fires, on the march, and in the 
ff deadly struggles, there have been born many a 
stirring incident and interesting anecdote. These 
serve to illustrate the humors as well as the severi- 
ties of war, .and have their appropriate places in its 
history. Ofttimes a mere accident — ludicrous in 
itself, perhaps — so far tells on the fortunes of war as to change 
the plans of a campaign, and bring success or disaster alike to 
individuals and armies; incidents, too, which in themselves at 
the time seem trilling, have made and unmade empires, and 
they also form a part of legitimate history as much as the 
story of a great battle in which thousands have perished. A 
child might have given direction to the incipient avalanche on 
the mountain's top, which in its thundering course down the 
valley no human agency could control ; so the merest incident 
ofttimes gives direction to events, that in their onward march 
no barrier can stay. 

These brief pictures of the war and excerpts from its his- 
tory will afibrd profitable as well as amusing entertainment 
for the leisure hours, which the busiest of us should have, not 
only for mental recreation and refreshment, but that we may 
learn of the exploits and humors attendant on the life of our 
brave boys in the field. 



102 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 



THE SCOUT'S LAST MESSAGE 



Saj^iuel Cox was one of my bravest scouts. He enlisted 
at Mempliis, Tenn., and was about twenty-six years of age, 
tall, and very powerful. He possessed a reckless nature, 
whicb would exhibit itself in a very short time, if he should 
chance to have nothing to do for several days ; and in order 
to prevent this, I had to invent something for him to engage 
in 

When I said " reckless," I did not mean to insinuate that 
he was of that particular stamp which frequent bar-rooms, bil- 
liard-rooms, etc., and v/hich are termed reckless by the public, 
nor do I mean that his recklessness itself was visible when he 
w?is idle, rather that a marked air of uneasiness pervaded his 
whole frame. He was always on the qui vive for a mission 
which would incur danger ; and though young and partially 
inexperienced, yet he was " Saicviter in modo, fortiter in reP 
(Gentle in manner, but resolute in deeds.) 

I liked him, to say the least. I chose him to perform 
many daring deeds oftener than I did others, and of it he 
seemed conscious, although no look or word of pride ever es- 
caped him. "When preparing for a dangerous mission, he pre- 
served that same nonchalant air, which was his peculiar char- 
acteristic ; but let him once get into an exciting affair, and his 
eyes would sparkle, his broad bosom heave with intensity, while 
either his hands or his mouth would be twitching with a ner- 
vousness which were startling. 

Well, one warm afternoon during the month of August 
last, I chose Cox to accompany me upon a spying adventure 
along the banks of the Yazoo river. As there were two guerilla 
camps to be passed, we armed ourselves more fully than usual. 
Cox seemed to be in a sorrowful mood that afternoon ; a de- 
pression of spirits was the cause to which I attributed it, and 



THE scout's last message, 103 

for some time tlionglit no more of it. As niglit came on, we 
embarked in a small Indian canoe and proceeded np tlie river 
for several miles. The alm<;^^^t iinj)enetrable darkness shielded 
us from observation, should any wandering guerilla happen to 
be around ; and thus we paddled silently along until we reach- 
ed the mouth of a small creek, five miles from our camp, and 
four from the rebel Col. 's. Here we landed, and com- 
menced to pick our way cautiously forward through the dense 
underbrush and low woods which lined the river bank at that 
point. We proceeded in this manner for nearly three miles ; 
but when the dusky figure of the rebel sentinel wa^-ned us that 
we were within a mile or less of the camp, we sank to our 
hands and knees, in order to approach him unawares, 

"I '11 quietly shut ofi:' his wind, dress myself in his clothes, 
and when the coi"poral of the guard comes around, I '11 slip 
into the camp, learn what I can, and then slip out. If you 
will remain here, I will return to this precise spot." So say- 
ing. Cox left me alone, while he crawled forward towards the 
unsuspecting sentinel. Hardly had he gone five rods ere he 
turned about and came back, 

" Lieutenant," said he, his usually clear voice choked with 
emotion, "if I fall in this errand, will you send these to my 
wife and child in Memphis ?" and as he spoke, he drew a pack- 
age from his bosom, and gave it to me, " Something tells me 
that I will sacrifice my life in this mission ; that a rebel ball 
shall cut short my existence in the end, and that my eyes shall 
behold my dear wife no more," 

"Don't go then, by all means," I replied, laying my hand 
upon his arm. " Let us return to camp. I am no man to 
force another to his death." 

" I know it, lieutenant," returned he, starting away again. 
" But this may all be imagination. Were I to know that by 
sacrificing my life to the knife of the savage, I would render 
my country any valuable service, God knows that I would do 
it in a minute ;" and he was gone before I could reply. 

Koble man ! Thy words were full of generous and noble 



104 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

meaning; "and tliongli tliy manly form is noAV monldering 
in an early grave, tliy memory shall live forever among the 
records of the brave in that great book in heaven, if not on 
earth. 

From my position, at the foot of a small pine tree, I could 
not obtain a very good glimpse of the country before me. 
Accordingly I clambered into the branches of the tree, and by 
parting them before me, I could obtain an unobstructed view 
— that is, as well as the darkness would permit. The form oi 
the sentinel was just discernible through the gloom, pacing 
back and forth upon his lonely beat. But suddenly it stop- 
ped. I stretched my ears to listen, and distinctly I heard the 
low words, 

" Wlio goes there ?" 

A long moment of breathless suspense followed. I ex- 
pected to see Cox sj)ring suddenly from the earth upon his 
foe ; but not the slightest sound betrayed his proximity. 
Leaving his gun " half cocked," the rebel continued his walk ; 
and in a few moments he again stopped and demanded, 

" Who goes there ?" 

Twice this was repeated ; and the last time the sentinel 
moved forward to the spot from whence he supposed the mys- 
terious sound proceeded. Scarcely had he done so, when a 
dark form sprung upon him from one side, and a glittering 
knife entered his heart with the rapidity of lightning. It was 
Cox, the scout; and arraying himself in the dead man's 
clothes, he pushed the body under some buslies, and took his 
post. So quickly had this change been wrought, that, had my 
eyes been turned during the transaction, and then turned back 
again, I could not have told the difference between the two 
sentinels. 

It was now about eleven o'clock. At twelve the relief 
guard came, and with mingling emotions of joy and fear, I 
beheld Cox march back to their camp, while another person 
took his place. I soon lost sight of him in the deep wood, a" 
then anxiously awaited his return. 



T jr p: scout's l a s t m t: s s a g e . 105 

I believe I have not fully stated tlie cause of this perilous 
mission as yet, but as I am now at leisure, I will do so. 

A nnnor — whether to be believed or not I did not know — 
was beginning to circulate in the camp, to the effect that a 
celebrated guerilla colonel, named — — , with a force of five 
hundred men, was to march through the upper countr}^ of Mis- 
sissippi on a grand foraging expedition, and obtain enough 
provision, etc., to last them through the winter. In order to 
do this, it would be necessary for them to come in uncomfort- 
able proximity to our little band of one hundred sharpshoot- 
ers, especially when we were unprepared for them. So our 
colonel appointed me and any companion I might choose to go 
up the Yazoo river to their camp, and by a dint of cautious 
manceuvering, obtain such intelligence as I could relative to 
the report, so that he might be prepared. I started at once, 
as the reader is aware ; but before we landed. Cox made mo 
promise him that he should do the spying, etc., urging as a 
decisive plea, that he was better acquainted with the country 
than I. 

So far all went well; how was it to end? We shall 
see. 

One long hour was dwindling away, but I had neither seen 
or heard any thing from Cox. The fear that he had been dis- 
covered and imprisoned came over me ; and so strong did it 
become, that I left my perch and dropped to the ground noise- 
lessly. At the foot of the tree I waited nearly half an hour, 
until chafed with a feverish impatience, I conld stand it no 
longer, but determined to go and hunt him np. Cautiously, 
very cantiously, I left the spot, crawling on my hands and 
knees towards the sentinel. For a long time I did not even look 
up to see where I was going ; my mind was filled with a tliou- 
sand bitter fancies, and I cursed myself over and over again 
for letting Cox go alone. In this way I went forward until I 
thought I was pretty close to the sentinel ; but v/hen I lifted 
my head to see him, judge of my surprise to behold him — 
gone ! But while I was ruminating upon this strange event. 



106 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

a rustling in the busLes close by me startled me. In an in- 
stant it flashed upon me that he had seen m.e, and Y/as playing 
the same game ; so I crouched close down beneath a clump of 
elders, and awaited his coming. In a fev/ moments he came 
feeling carefully along ; and when he was directly opposite 
me, I sprang out and confronted him. We clenched ; there 
was a deadly struggle, a groan, a gasp ; and then I rose from 
the dead body of the sentinel with a small flesh wound in the 
arm. 

Again I made my way forward, and this time towards the 
camp fires of the enemy, which were in plain sight, about a 
quarter of a mile distant, and through a small piece of woods. 
As there was no sentinel between me and the fires, I rose to 
an upright position, and continued on until the one within the 
shadow of the woods became visible ; then I resumed the 
creeping posture as before. In a few moments I came upon a 
slight eminence covered with low underbrush, and once on the 
top, I plainly beheld the camp of the rebels. It was not very 
large, considering the number of its occupants, and was situ- 
ated in a large depression at the entrance of the grove, instead 
of beyond it, as I had supposed ; two fires had been built in 
front of the officers' tents, and around were congregated quite 
a number of men, among them Col. . 

I saw an immense deal of gesticulating and running here 
and there, heard several angry, contending voices, and noted 
that it seemed to be centered upon one person, who sat in the 
midst of the crowd. As they were all about him, I had no 
opportunity to " sight " liim ; but suddenly they parted as if 
a thunderbolt had fallen in their midst, and as they did so, the 
light fell upon the stern features of Samuel Cox, He had 
heen discovered, and they were trying him as a spy. The 
cause of the sudden starting soon became apparent. Cox had 
sprung to his feet, holding a revolver in one hand, and with 
the other he swept up the contents of a small deal table, by 
which were seated tlie rebel colonel, a captain, and a lieuten- 
ant, thrust them into his bosom, and with a regular Indian 



THE scout's last MESSAGE, 107 

yell, daslied through the astonished crowd, over the bushy 
ground, directly towards me. 

Seeing the exciting state of afiairs, I sprang to an upright 
position, and shouted, " This way, Sam ; this way ; I'll back 
you." 

lie saw me, and as he came up, he gave me the papers, 
saying : 

'" Take 'em, lieutenant ; they are the plans, etc., of the 
rebels. If I fall, you can carry them to our colonel ; tell him 
how I died." 

" Don't go under now. Cox," I replied, cheerfully. " See, 
they are after us ; come, follow me," and as I spoke, I darted 
away — Samuel close behind — followed by a crowd of mad, 
yelling demons. 

The sentinel fired a shot at us, Kkewise the crowd, which 
had no etfect save a few whistling balls by our ears, as I 
could sec. One, two, and three long miles of the forest flew 
beneath our feet, and as I had taken the direction of our canoe, 
of the dark river soon burst upon our sight. 

Dashing down to the spot where lay the canoe, we jumped 
in, and were soon pulling down the river, the ashen oars bend- 
ing until they almost snapped beneath the pressure. 

Our pursuers came running down to the bank, where we 
were last seen, to iind their prey gone, just as we turned a 
bend in the river. All their important maps, plans, etc., were 
in the hands of tlieir enemy, and taken from their very midst 
by a daring sjyj I 

They returned in chagrin, and no very amiable mood, to 
their -deserted camp. 

" Let me do the rowing, Cox ; you are tired from excitement 
and running, if nothing else. Our pursuers have gone back, 
so there is no danger," said I, after we were nearly a mile on 
our journey. " You are very pale ; come now, sit in the stern 
while I row." 

He obeyed, mechanically, sitting down in the small stern 



108 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

of the canoe, -whicli I vras propelling througli tlie vrater, at a 
leisurely speed. 

Suddenly his pale face assumed a ghastly hue ; and his 
breath came quick and short, while he gasped forth the words : 

" Lieutenant, row hard ! hard ! harder ! I imist reach the 
camp before I die. O God ! row hard, W ." 

" Die ! what mean you ?" I asked, with unfeigned astonish- 
ment. 

" Oae of those hullets loent clear through my breast, and I 
am dying. I have stood up against death as long as I can. 
O Lucy, my wife, my wife !" was Cox's reply. 

Reader, did I bend those ashen oars any ? or was the canoe 
more than twenty-five minutes in going over the intervening 
four miles ? Ask the grand old trees along the river bank, 
what lone canoe shot past them like a meteor, on that night ; 

or, ask the sharpshooters of Colonel M 's division in the 

Army of the West, at what terrific speed the httle vessel shot 
up to the bank, ploughing up the gravel in its headlong career. 
Header, I believe I rowed some that fatal night. 

Beneath a stately oak, that grew a few rods from the river 
bank, lay the dying spy, Samuel Cox. His curly head was 
pillowed by a knapsack, while a spread blanket formed the 
only bed that we had for him. The sharpshooters were stand- 
ing around, some weeping, and others viewing their comrade 
with sorrowful countenances ; a minister was kneeling beside 
the scout, Oil'ering up a heartfelt* jir ay er in his behalf, while 
our surgeon was bathing his temples with water, thus easing 
him in his last moments. 

It was a scene worthy of the pencil of Raphael or Scott. 
"When the chaplain ceased. Cox rose to a sitting posture, and, 
in feeble tones, addressed a few encouraging wxrds to his 
friends. Said he, at the conclusion, pointing to me : 

" Do not blame him for anything whatever. He gave me 
my own way in the matter ; it is not his fault." 

Here he stopped for breath, and then proceeded in short 
sentences : 



THE scout's last MESSAGE. 109 

" Boys, don't any of yon ever give np the glorions Union 
on any plea — for anything on earth. Let the fiercest tortnres 
be pi ied npon your body before you will say one word against 
it. I have sufiered much at the hands of Secessionists in East 
Tennessee, all because I loved our glorious Union, one out of 
many. Boys, under any circumstances, ^ DonH give tip the 
Shij),^ though every man perish." 

" Lieutenant," he continued, calling me to his side, and 
placing a miniature and a locket and chain in my hands, 
" send these to my poor wife at Memphis. Write her the 
particulars of my — my — my — death ! Will you ?" 

" I will. Cox, I will," I answered, my voice husky with 
emotion. 

He was going fast, his eyes wer3 becoming glazed, and his 
breath hard and short. Once he rallied, and shouted to us 
all in tones which we can never forget : 

"DON'T GIYE UP OUR \Jl\lO^—mver ! never! 
NEVER !" 

And falling back upon his pillow, Samuel Cox, the spy and 
scout, was dead. 

We burie^. hiui, 'neath the tall, waving oak, which was 
the symbol of himself just as the golden summer sun vv'as 
sinking in the West. We left the spot with soft steps, and 
retired to our camp. Darkness came on over the grave ; 
all was still, save the quiet rippling of the river, and the 
mournful sighing of the wind in the top of the oak, A 
holy calm pervaded the ^vliole scene, and the soft zephyrs 
" sang sweetly together" over the patriot's lonely grave. 



" Hollow ye the lonely grave, 

Make its caverns deep and wide ; 
In the soil they died to save 

Lay the bvave men, side by side. 
Side by side they foughl and fell, 

Hand in hand they met the foe ; 
Who has heard his grandsire tell, 

Braver strife or deadlier blow ? 



110 ANECDOTES, INCIDEiN'TS, ETC. 

Wake 3'our mourn ful harmonies, 

Your tears of pity shed for tliom; 
Summer dew and sighing breeze 

Shall be wail and requiem. 
Pile Che grave-mound broad and high, ■ 

"Where our martyred brethren sleep, 
It shall point the pilgrim's eye, 

Here to bend and here to weep." 

I have little more to add. The rebels never attempted 
their intended raid. As all their plans, intentions, etc., were 
in the possession of then* enemies, they knew that we would 
be prepared for them, and they exoused themselves, very 
wisely too. 

To the brave scout we were indebted for it all ; and we 
could only say : " Bequiescat in 2^c(,ce I " 



THE AME]N"ITIES OF WAR. ' 

Kow and then a little human smile brightens war's grirn 
visage, like a flash of sunshine in an angry day. I remember 
one that I wish I could daguerreotype. The amenities of 
battle are so few, how precious they become % Let me give 
that little " touch of nature that makes the whole world kin." 
A few months ago, the Third Ohio, belonging to Streight's 
command, entered a town en route for Eichmond, prisoners 
of war. Worn down, famished, hearts heavy, and haversacks 
light, they were herded like dumb, driven cattle, to wear out 
the night. A rebel regiment, the Fifty-fourth Virginia, being 
camped near by, many of its men came strolling about to 
see the sorry show of poor, supperless Yankees. They did not 
stare long, but hastened away to camp, and came streaming 
back with coffee-kettles, corn bread, and bacon, the best they 
had and all they had ; and straightway little tires began to 



THE AMENITIES OF WAE. Ill 

twinkle, bacon was suffering tlie martyi'doin of the saint of 
the gridiron, and the aroma of coffee rose like the fragrant 
clond of a thank-offering. Loyal gnests and rebel hosts were 
mingled ; our hungry boys ate and were satisfied ; and for that 
one night our common humanity stood acquitted of the heavy 
charge of total depravity with which it is blackened. ISTighi 
and our boys departed together. The prisoners in due time 
were exchanged, and are now encamped within rifle shot of 
Kelly's Ferry on the bank of the Tennessee. But often, 
around the camp fires, I have heard them talk of the Fifty- 
fourth Yirginia, that proved themselves so immeasurably 
better "than a brother afar off ;" heard them wonder where 
they were, and discuss the chance that they might ever meet. 
When they denounced the " damnable Johnny E.ebs," the 
name of one regiment, you may be sure, was tucked away in 
a snug place, quite out of the range of hard words. 

And now comes the secpiel that makes a beautiful poem of 
the whole of it. On the day of the storming of Mission 
Ridge, among the prisoners was the Fifty-fourth Yirginia, 
and on Friday it trailed away across the pontoon bridge, and 
along the mountain road, nine miles to Kelly's Ferry. Ar- 
rived there, it settled upon the bank, like wasps, awaiting the 
boat. A week elapsed, and your correspondent followed suit. 
The major of the Third Ohio welcomed me to the warm hos- 
pitality of his quarters, and almost the first thing he said was : 
" You should have been here last Friday ; you missed the de- 
nouement of the beautiful little drama of ours, whose first act 
I have told joi\. "Will you believe the Fifty-fourth Yirgiiiia 
has been here ! Some of our boys were on duty at the land- 
ing when it arrived. ' What regiment is this ?' they asked ; 
and when the reply was given, they started for camp like 
quarter horses, and sliouted, as they rushed in and out among 
the smoky cones of the Sibleys : ' Tlie Fifty-fourth Yirginia 
is at the Ferry,' The camp swarmed in three minutes. 
Treasures of coffee, bacon, sugar, beef, preserved peaches, 
everything were turned out in force, and you may believe 



113 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

they went laden witb plenty, at tlie double-quick, to tho 
, Ferry." The same old scene, and yet liow strangely cliang'cd I 
The twinkling tires, the grateful incense, the hungry captives; 
but guests and hosts had changed places ; the star-lit folds 
floated aloft for the bonny bhie Hag ; a debt of honor was paid 
to the ntternutst farthing. If they had a triumph of arms at 
Chattanooga, hearts were trumps at Kelly's- Ferry. And 
there it was that horrid vrar smiled a human smile, and a 
grateful, gentle light flickered for a moment on the point of 
the bayonet. And yet, should the Fifty-fourth Virginia re- 
turn to-morrow, with arms in their hands, to the Tennessee, 
the Third Ohio M'ould meet them on the bank, flght them foot 
to foot, and beat them back with rain so pitiless the river 
would run red. 



B. F. Tatloe, of tho Chicago Jonrnal, thus writes about 
pets in the army. It will be seen soldiers do not lose their 
flner feelings : 

PETS IN THE ARMY. 

The following shovrs that nature is the same in the army as 
out of it : 

" They have the strangest pets in the army, that nobody 
would dream of ' taking to' at home, and yet they arc little 
tenches ot the gentler nature that give you some such cordial 
feeling, when you see them, as I am told residents of Bourbon 
County, Ivy., habitually experience at so mnch a gallon ! One 
of the boys has carried a red squirrel, through ' thick and 
thin,' over a thousand miles. ' Bun' eats hard tack like a 
veteran, and has the freedom of the tent. Another's afiec- 
tions overflow upon a slow-winking, unspeculativo little owl, 
captured in Arkansas, and bearing a name with a classical 



PETS IN THE AEMY. 113 

Binack to it — Minerva. A tliird gives his lieart to a young 
Cumberland Mountain bear. But chief among camp pets are 
dogs. Riding on the saddle-bow, tucked into a baggage- 
wagon, mounted on a knapsack, growling under a gun, are 
dogs, brought to a premature end as to ears and tails, and yel- 
low at that ; pug-nosed, square-headed brutes, sleek terriers, 
delicate morsels of spaniels, ' Tray, Blanch, Sweetheart, little 
dogs and all.' A dog, like a horse, eomes to love the rattle 
and crash of musket and cannon. There was one in an Ilh- 
nois regiment, and I rather think regarded as belonging to it, 
though his name may not be on the muster-roll, that chases 
half spent shot as a kitten frolics with a ball of worsted. He 
has been under fire, and twice wounded, and left the tip of 
his tail at the battle of Stone Hiver. Woe to the man that 
shall wantonly kill him. But I was especially interested in 
the fortunes of a little white spaniel that messed with a bat- 
tery, and delighted in the nan:^e of ' Dot.' Xo matter what 
was up, that fellow's silken coat must be washed every day ; 
and there was need of it, for when the battery was on the 
march they just plunged him into the- sponge-bucket — not the 
tidiest chamber imaginable — that swings like its more peace- 
ful cousin, the tar-bucket, under the rear axle of the gun- 
carriage — plumped into that, clapped on the cover, and Dot 
was good for an inside passage. One day the battery crossed 
a stream, and the water came well up to the guns. Xobody 
thought of Dot, and when all across, a gunner looked into the 
bucket ; it was full of water, and Dot was as dead as a dirty 
door-mat." 

8 



114 AKECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 



HEEOISM lis THE HOSPITAL. 

BY C. EDWAEDS LESTER. 

The surgeon said : " He can hardly live," .... I felt a 
strange interest in this* young man ; I knew his history well. 
The youngest son among several brothers, when his country's 
troubles began, he said to them : " Let )i/e go ; for you are all 
married ; if I Ml, no matter." He went. He had followed 
the standard of the Republic into every battle-field, till, after 
the flight from the Bull Run of July, 18G1, worn out, but not 
wotmded, he was borne to this hosj)ital in Washington. This 
was his life as a^soldier. There was another and deeper life 
than that. The great loadstone that led him away was the 
magnet of his nation. Another loadstone held his- heart at 
home ; it was the magnet of love. The surgeon was long in 
coming ; but when he did come, his shai-p and experienced 
eye, as he approached the cot, opened with surprise. " He is 
still alive. I am not sure but he may come up yet. If he 
revives, there is one chance left for him, if it be but one in a 
thousand. You stay and watch, and I will come back in half 
an hour." In former visits to him he had made me his con- 
fidant. He seemed to be haunted by the idea that he would, 
after all, return to his home on the banks of the Mohawk, and 
once more see those he loved. The surgeon came by again. 
" That boy has wonderful vitality." Whether it was purely 
my fancy, my hope, or a foct, I did not know, but twilight 
seemed to pass over his face. " Yes, yes, I — I — wait a mo- 
ment. Oh, I shall not die." He opened his eyes calmly, 
and then a glow which I shall never forget suffused his cheek, 
and lifting his emaciated hands for the first time in several 
weeks, he exclaimed, in a natural voice : " How floats the old 
flag now, boys ?" I now feared his excitement would carry 
him beyond his strength. I could not keep him from talking. 



HEKOISM IN THE HOSPITAL. 115 

He grew impatient tlie more I tried to soothe and restrain 
him. 

" "Won't you let me talk a little ? I must know something 
more, or it seems to me I shall go crazy. Please pnt your 
ear down to me. "I won't speak loud — I won't get excited." 

I did as he requested. 

" Have you got any letters for me ?" 

" Yes, but they are at my office. You shall have them 
to-morrow. They are all well at home." 

" And Bella V' 

" l"es." 

" Oh, God be praised." 

After a few moments of repose, he again opened his eyes 
wide. 

*•' I have been gone so long from the army ! It seemed as 
though I never could get back when I got home. I got away ; 
and I wandered and wandered. Oh, how tired I was ! "Where 
is McDowell ? Is General Scott dead ? They said so. Did 
they carry olf Old Abe ? How did he get back ? Did the 
rebels get into Washington that night ? How long have I 
been sick ? What place is this ? Oh, my head ! my head !" 

I was frightened. The tender chord of memory had given 

away And so that anxious night wore away. In the 

morning he awoke bright and clear; and from that hour .he 
began to get well. Bella's letters, received during his extreme 
illnes3,_could now be read. They were among the noblest 
ever written by woman. 

" Our heart-prayers for you have been answered. We now 
wait only for your return. When we parted, it was not with 
repining: you had gone to the altar of your country in solemn 
and complete dedication. I too was prepared for the sacrifice. 
I expected it, although I knew how crushingly the blow would 
fall. But if you had not loved your country better than Bella, 
it would have broken her heart. I hope now in a few weeks 
you will be again l)y my side. When your health is once 
more restored, I will promise in advance, as you desire, not to 



116 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

try to keep yon from joining yonr regiment ; and if the stars 
have written that "Walter shall not be my husband, God has 
decreed that I shall die a widow never inarried." 

He did return to the Mohawk valley. He married Bella. 
He returned to the war ; and on the eve of the great day of 
Antietam he heard that his son was born, — and the hero-father 
died by the side of Hooker. 



THE MYSTEKIOUS FOE. 

" Teamp ! tramp ! tramp ! — tramp ! tramp ! tramp !" 

Company — was returning from a scouting expedition. 
The road they w^ei-e pursuing led directly to the camp, the 
illuminated tents of which they could see gleaming out dis- 
tinctly in the moonliglit about a mile ahead. 

Captain prided himself upon the orderly manner in 

which he always- led his command into camp ; so as they ap- 
proached the promised haven of rest and repose for the night, 
the men, who had hitherto been marching on the " route step," 
were ordered to form into four ranks, and to " right shoulder 
shift arms." 

Soon the steady, regular tramp of a hundred feet striking 
the earth simultaneously, announced that each man was in 
his place, and " keeping step" to perfection, while the voice 
of the captain was heard chiming in harmony with the sound. 

" ISTow — you've — got — it — d — n — it — keep — it. Left — 
left — left ! Now — you've — got — it — d — n — it — keep — it ! 
Left " 

" Wlii-z-z-z-z-z-zip." 

" Halt ! What in the d— 1 was that ? A bullet ? 

The men stood still, turning theii* eyes in every direction. 



THE MYSTERIOUS FOE. 117 

Beliind tliem, and upon their left extended a tract of open 
country, which ^vas ilkuninatcd by the beams of a full moon ; 
but as far as they could see — a long distance — not even the 
outline of a human figure could be discovered, while on looking 
to the right, they saw nothing but a wide stream of water, 
beyond which stood a few tall pines and several oaks, scattered 
promiscuously together. 

" D'ye see anything, Tom ?" 

" Nothing ; do you, Jack ?" 

" No : guess it was only a bird going past." 

" If it had been a bullet we'd have heard the report of the 
gun." 

" I think I saw the bird's wing as it flew by," exclaimed a fifth. 

" Forward march !" ordered the captain. 

" Tramp ! tramp ! tramp ! tramp ! tramp ! tramp !" 

" Left — left — left ! Now you have got it." 

" Shoulder arms !— left— left !'' 

Again is heard that peculiar whistling sound. 

"Halt! That's a bullet!" 

Again the men stood still, looking about them with the 
same result as before. 

" I think it came from the right," said the ca])tain. " Front ?" 
he continued, drawing his sword. 

The company obeyed. 

" Fix bayonets !" ^ 

This was done. 

" Shoulder arms ! Forward march !" And led by their 
officer, away went the company in the direction of a group of 
trees on the right. 

They hunted the little grove tlioroughly, even looking up 
into the branches of the trees. But it was labor thi'own away. 
No enemy was in sight. 

"Tliis is strange," said the captain, "the noise was cer- 
tainly that of a bullet." 

" But what surprises me is that we didn't hear the report 
of the gun," remarked one of the men. 



118 ANECDOTES, liSTCIDENTS, ETC. 

An Irisliman belonging to tlie company was seen to cross 
himself. 

"Whist ! it's the devil's own bullet, shnre!" said he. 

"Fall in, men! foil in!" ordered the captain, "this mnst 
be reported to the colonel. It's a strange business!" 

The ranks were soon formed, and the men again upon the 
road moving towiird the camp. They had not gone more than 
ten yards, however, wlien " whiz-z-zip !" came another of. the 
mysterious bullets. This time one of the men clapped his 
hand to his leg just above the knee, and fell in the road, 
writhing with pain. 

Three of his comrades were detailed to carry him to the 
camp, while the rest of the party instituted another search for 
the foe. The result of their eftbrts, however, v.^as the same as 
before. ]^o enemy was to be found, and though they strained 
their eyes over the open country beyond, in the hopes of 
catching a glimpse of some retreating figure, not even a 
shadow or outline of the kind was to be seen. 

Astonishment was depicted upon every face, while a few 
of the men who were superstitiously inclined, turned pale, and 
shook their heads ominously. 

Leaving a guard of six men under the charge of a corporal, 
to watch the grove, the captain formed the rest of his company, 
and again marched toward the camp, this time without inter- 
ruption. The news of the singular aifair having already been 
circulated through the regiment by the three men who had 
been deputed to take charge of their wounded comrade, the 
Zouaves had turned out to a man to witness the arrival of the 
party, and no sooner did the " heroes" make their appearance 
and break rank, than they were plied with questions on all 
sides. The captain lost no time in making his report to the 
colonel, and a few mxoments afterwards, the latter mounted his 
horse and rode to the grove. But his efforts to solve the mys- 
tery were rewarded with no better success than that which 
had attended the exertions of his inferior. He returned to 
camp half an hour afterward, with a puzzled countenance, and 



THE MYSTERIOUS FOE. 119 

having ordered a guard to the relief of the six men left at the 
grove, he retired to his quarters. 

For three days the place was closely watched by small 
details of armed men, wlio relieved each other at regular inter- 
vals ; but no enemy was seen, nor were the mysterious bullets 
again discharged during that period. 

Accordingly, believing that the foe, by some means or 
other, had effected his escape, on the first night of his " debut," 
the colonel ordered the guard, which was much needed for 
other duties, to be withdrawn. Shortly afterward, the stream 
near the grove became a favorite resort of the men, who sought 
its cool, clear waters to refresh themselves with a bath. One 
morning, about ten days from the time of the withdrawal of the 

guard, Tom K and Bill T left their tent for the 

purpose of enjoying a good wash in the stream before reveille. 
A brisk walk of twenty minutes' duration enabled them to 
reach the bank, and they were soon after sporting together 
like "young gods," in the refreshing element. Presently, 
plunging into the water, side by side, they struck out for a 
race, and Tom, who was the most powerful swimmer of the 
two, had passed a few yards ahead of his companion, when his 
ears were suddenly saluted by a whizzing noise, followed by a 
sound something between a gurgle and a groan. The latter 
noise evidently proceeding from his companion. Tom hastily 
turned himself around. The arm of his friend was alone 
visible, raised above the surface of the stream, the water of 
which, at that place, was stained with blood. Sur^Drised and 
horrified, he. lost no'-time in making his way to the spot, when, 
with a quick dive, he grasped his sinking comrade about the 
waist, and bore him to the surface just in time to receive his 
farewell gasp, as the poor fellow's soul fled into eternity. 

The temple horribly torn and shajttered proclaimed that he 
had been struck by a bullet — the mysterious bullet of the un- 
seen foe ! 

Having gained the bank, Tom deposited the dead man 



120 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

upon the ground, and looked around liim. But he could see 
no sign of an enemy. 

At the same moment, he heard footsteps approaching along 
the road, which he surmised were those of a picket guard 
which had been sent out on the day previous, and was now 
probably returning to the camp. 

Hastily dressing himself, Tom eagerly awaited the ap- 
proach of his comrades, in order to acquaint them with that 
which had just taken place, while he continued to keep his 
eyes fixed keenly upon the ^Tove, 

Presently, the guard made its ajDpearance, and Tom lost 
no time in relating his story to the hon*ified listeners, who 
gazed upon the body of the dead man with feeEngs of mingled 
grief and indignation, which the fate of their comrade, who 
had been a great favorite with all, was well calculated to 
excite. 

"By heavens!" exclaimed the captain, fiercely, "that 
'bloody reb,' whoever he is, must be concealed somewhere 
about this grove, and we'll see if we cannot find some means 
to unearth the rascal. Front !" he added, drawing his sword. 

"Are your pieces all loaded?" 

The Zouaves answered in the affirmative. 

" Now, men, aim straight for the grove. We will see what 
virtue there is in cold lead for rousing this invisible felloAV. 
Ready ! — aim ! — ^fire !" 

The volley of musketry crashed upon the air ; and at the 
same moment we all heard a wild, unearthly cry, which 
seemed to proceed from the bowels of the earth, directly ahead. 

" Forward !" shouted the captain, exultingly, and the next 
moment we were all in the grove. But no enemy nor even 
the trace of one could be discovered. 

"Boys!" said the captain, "the devil himself must have a 
hand in this business. I can make nothing of it." 

We returned to camp carrying the dead body of poor Bill 
r between us ; and the whole regiment was again roused 



THE MYSTERIOUS FOE. 121 

to a pitch of wonder and excitement when our story was told 
to them. 

By the colonel's orders a guard detail was again dispatched 
to the grove with orders to maintain a most vigilant watch — 
particularly at night. 

Bill T was buried that same afternoon, and in the 

evening, Tom wrote a letter to the brother of the deceased, 
giving an account of his melancholy fate, 

" Boys," said our company cook next morning, as the men 
stood clustered near his lire, discussing the melancholy affair 
of the previous daj^ " I am short of wood, and as the logs 
have all disappeared hereabouts, I know of no place so handy 
where any can be got, as at that very grove about which you 
are all talking. Suppose you take three or four axes and 
knock over some of those oaks. They'll make capital fire- 
wood." 

Knowing that our dinner depended upon the cook's supply 
of fuel, we cheerfully complied, and shouldering three or four 
axes, we were soon on our way to the place of which the cook 
had spoken. 

The guard, of course, offered no objection to our entrance, 
and we were soon plying our axes vigorously. 

"Halloa, boys, this tree is hollow!" suddenly exclaimed 
one of the men, as he stru(ik his axe against the trunk, which 
was of very large circumference. 

"We looked towards him as he spoke, and saw him repeat 
the blow, when, to the surprise of all present, a piece of the 
trunk, which it was evident, had carefully been sawed from 
that part of the tree and afterward fitted in so as to be taken 
out and replaced at will, fell to the earth, revealing an aper- 
ture about the size of a man's hand. 

" Good heavens ! look here !" exclaimed the Zouave, as he 
peered through the hole, "here's a sight, boys!" 

We advanced, and each man in his turn peered into this 
novel contrivance, when a spectacle was revealed, which was 
well calculated to excite feelings of horror and astonishment. 



122 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

As we liave previously remarked, the tree was of large cir- 
cumference, and found to be hollow. In this hollow we now 
beheld the white ghastly visage of a corpse, with staring eye- 
balls and face smeared with blood ! Two or three bullet holes 
in the trunk of the tree proclaimed the manner of his death, 
for it was evident that the volley of the picket guard on the 
day befone had accomplished the work. 

The hiding-place of our enemy was discovered ! 

"With our axes we soon laid bare enough of the trunk to 
reveal the whole person of the rebel, who stood in an upright 
position, and still held clutched in the stiffened fingers of his 
left hand a curious looking weapon, which, upon examination, 
was found to be an air gun ! Through the aperture in the 
trunk, he had taken aim and discharged this noiseless rifle 
upon our men, replacing the slide in the opening when they 
approached. 

Over his shoulders was slung a haversack, which was found 
to contain enough provision to last for nearly a week, and it 
was thus made evident that the rebel had remained in those 
close quarters during the time the grove was so vigilantly 
guarded on the occasion to which we have alluded. After the 
withdrawal of the guard, he had made his exit, but only to 
return again with a fresh supply of provision and ammunition. 
The result is already known to our readers. 

"We will now inform them that the trunk of the tree, owing 
to a lightning stroke or some other cause, was hollow from the 
base to the top, and was not more than fifteen feet in height. 
Two or three gnarled and crooked limbs projected outward 
near the opening in the summit, around one of which the rebel 
had fastened the end of a slender rope, which extended to the 
bottom of the cavity, thus affording him the means of entering 
the retreat or of making his exit from the same. The forma- 
tion of the branch, covered as it was with a thick growth of 
leaves, had prevented our men from seeing the end of the 
rope where it was fastened. 

Thus secure from observation in his curious quarters, the 



EIDE OF THE WOUNDED BRIGADE. 123 

rebel had been enabled to send fortli tlie messenger of death 
by means of a gun which gave no warning note of its presence 
save the spiteful whiz of the bullet it discharged. 



Among all the correspondence that has come to our notice 
from those connected with our armies, none has charmed us 
more than that of Mr. B. F. Taylor, of the Chicago Journal^ 
his powers of delineation are unexcelled, and his pen pictures 
of scenes and incidents on the field of battle will prove gems 
in our literature. His is a rare gift, and is possessed by but a 
few. The people are greatly indebted to him for his beautiful 
as well as invaluable record of facts that liave come to his 
knowledge. Mr. Taylor, in a recent letter from the Army of 
the Cumberland, gives the following picture of a night's ride 
of the wounded brigade, after the battle of Chickamauga : 

EIDE OF THE WOUNDED BRIGADE. 

They were loaded upon the train ; two platform cars were 
paved with them, forty on a car. Seven cars were so packed 
you could not set your foot down among them as they lay. 
The roofs of the cars were tiled with them, and away we 
pounded, all day, all night, into the next morning, and then 
Nashville. Half of the boys had not a shred of a blanket, and 
it rained steadily, pitilessly. — What do you think of platform 
cars for a triumphal procession wherein to bear wounded 
heroes to the tune of "The Soldier's Return from the War?" 
But the stores of the Sanitary Commission and the gifts of 
such ladies as are now, I believe, making your city a Bethel — 
a place of angels— kept the boys' hearts up through all those 
weary, drizzling hours. 

It is midnight, and the attendants are going through the 
train with coifee, graced with milk and sugar — think of that — 
two fresh, white, crisp crackers apiece, and a little taste of 



124: ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

fruit. Did your hands prepare it, dear lady ? I hope so, for 
the little balance in your favor set down in the ledger of God. 

Here they come with a canteen ; will yon go with them ? 
climb through that window into a car as black as the Hole of 
Calcutta. But mind w^here you step ; the floor is one layer 
deep with wounded soldiers. As you swing the lantern round, 
bandages show white and ghastly everywhere ; bandages, band- 
ages, and now and then a rusty spot of blood. What worn- 
out, faded faces look up at you ? They rouse like wounded 
creatures hunted down to their lairs as you come. The tin 
cups extended in all sorts of hands but plump, strong ones, 
tinkle all around you. You are fairly girdled with the tin-cup 
horizon. How the dull, pale faces brighten as those cups are 
filled ! On we go, out at one window, in at another, stepping 
gingerly among mangled limbs. We reach the platform cars, 
creaking with their drenched, chilled, bruised burdens, and I 
must tell you — it's a shame though — that one poor fellow 
among them lay with a tattered blanket pinned around him ; 
he was literally sans culotte. — " How is this ?" I said. " Haven't 
got my descriptive list — that's what's the matter," was the 
reply. Double allowance all around to the occupants of the 
platforms, and we retrace our steps to the rear of the train. 
You should have heard the ghost of a cheer that fluttered like 
a feeble bird as we went back. It was the most touching vote 
of thanks ever offered ; there was a little flash up of talk for a 
minute, and all subsided into silence and darkness again. 
Wearily wore the hours and heavily hammered the train. — 
At intervals the guards traversed the roof of the cars, and 
pulled in the worn-out boys that had jarred down to the 
edges — pulled them in toward the middle of the cars without 
waking them ! Occasionally one slips over the eaves, I am 
told, and is miserably crushed. What a homeward march is 
all this to set a tune to ! 

By some en*or in apportionment there was not quite coffee 
enough for all on deck, and two slips of boys on the roof of 
the car where I occupied a corner were left without a drop. 



AUTUMNAL COLOKING OF THE WOODS. 125 

Whenever we stopped, and that was two hours here and three 
hours there, waiting for this and for that — there was no hurry, 
you know — and the side door was elided back in its groove, I 
saw two hungry faces, stretched down over the car's edge, and 
heard two feeble voices crying : " We have had nothing up 
here since yesterday noon, we two — there are only us two 
boys — please give us something. Haven't you got any hard 
tack?" I heard that pitiful appeal to the officers in charge, 
and saw those faces till they haunted me, and to-day I remem- 
ber those plaintive lines as if I were hearing a dirge. I felt in 
my pockets and haversack for a cracker, but found nothing. 
I really hated myself for having eaten my dinner and not 
saved it for them. A furtlier search was rewarded with six 
crackers from the Chicago Mechanical Bakery, and watching 
my chance when Pete's back was turned — the cook, and a 
smutty autocrat was Pete in his way — I took a sly dip with a 
basin into the coffee-boiler. As the car gave a lurch in the 
right direction, I called from the window, " Boys !" I heard 
them crawling to the edge, handed up the midnight supper, 
" Bully for you," they said, and I saw them no more. When 
the train reached IsTashville, and I clambered down to solid 
ground again, I looked up at the roof; it was there, God 
grant the boys are with their mothers to-night. And how do 
you like the ride of the Wounded Brigade ? 



In another letter, Mr. Taylor gives this sketch of the 

AUTUMNAL COLORING OF THE WOODS. 

In vividness and variety the autumnal coloring of southern 
woods far surpass our own. It may be that the keen shafts of 
green thrust up here and there serve to "set ofi'" "the coat 
of many colors." You can see cones of hills that burn like 



126 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

strange and wonderful gems, and would put out the liglit in 
Sinbad's Yalley of Diamonds ; great trees whose entire foliage 
resembles a single crimson or golden flower, so evenly and 
wonderfully are the tints laid on, and all you can think of as 
you look, is not a trunk of a tree bearing up its crown of 
painted leaves, but a stem lightly lifting its one majestic blos- 
som up before the Lord. I saw such trees and woods, touched 
and set on fire, with the sinking sun, last night. I had read 
in an old volume of the Burning Bush, but I never saw it 
until then. How they did kindle and flash up, as Day walked 
along the tops of the forest to his chamber ! I believe that if 
ever I shall have to take up blind Milton's " But not to me 
returns day nor the sweet approach of even or morn," that 
scene will come back to me again and again — one of the 
brightest and loveliest pictures in memory. I pray all " prac- 
tical " men and women to pardon me for strewing the threshold 
of this letter very broadly with such trifles as leaves and flowers. 
But I cannot help thinking, with another, that the Lord loves 
to look at them Himself. Would anybody have liked it better, 
do you think, had I told him how I saw oak leaves, as early as 
September, more richly colored than any I saw last night ? — 
costing far more than the dye of Tyre ? Leaves splashed with 
federal blood ! 



Heke we have an account of a "JVest^^ that held dangerous 
game for our brave brothers in the field. 

WHAT CAME OUT OF A CEDAE. 

But here is a little story of something that came out of the 
leaves on that Sunday whence, as from a first meridian, they 
yet reckon at Chattanooga, I had it in my mind to tell it a 
dozen letters ago, but it has slipped out of sight till now. At 
one point there was a lull in the battle ; at least it had gone 



WHAT CAME OUT OF A CEDAK. 127 

shattering and tliundering down tlie line, and the boys were 
as much "at ease" as boys can be upon whom, any moment, 
the storm may roll back again. To be sure occasional shots, 
and now and then a cometary shell kept them alive, but one 
of the boys ran down to a little spring, and towards the woods 
where the enemy lay, for water. He had just stooped and 
swung down his canteen, when tlGk/ a rifle ball struck it at 
an angle and bounded away. He looked around an instant, 
discovered nobody, thought it a chance shot — a piece of lead, 
you know, that goes at a killing rate without any malice pre- 
pense, and so, nowise infirm of purpose, he again bent to get the 
water. Ping ! a second bullet cut the cord of his canteen and 
the boy " got the idea ;" a sharp shooter was after him, and he 
went to the right about and the double-quick to the ranks. 
A soldier from another part of the line made a pilgrimage to 
the spring, was struck and fell by its brink. But where was 
the marksman? Two or three boys ran out to di'aw his 
fire while others watched. Crack ! went the unseen piece 
again, and some keen-eyed fellow spied a smoke rolling out 
from a little cedar. This was the spot, then ; the rebel had 
made him a hawk's nest — in choice Indian a Chattanooga iu 
the tree — and drawing the green covert close around him, was 
taking a quiet hand at " steeple-shooting " at long range. 

A big, blue eyed German, tall enough to look over into 
the third generation, and a sharpshooter withal, volunteered 
to dislodge him. Dropping into a little run, that neared the 
tree diagonally, he turned upon his back, and worked himself 
cautiously along ; reached a point perilously close, he stopped, 
took aim as he lay, and God and his true right hand "gave 
him a good deliverance." Away flew the bullet ; an instant 
elapsed, the volume of the cedar parted, and " like a big frog," 
as the boys described it, out leaped a gray-back ; the hawk's 
nest was empty and a dead rebel lay under the tree. It was 
neatly done of the German man-grown. May he live to tell 
the story a thousand times to his moon-faced grand-childi'en. 



128 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

Those ladies who have toiled through the long wintei 
evenings, creating something to comfort the sick and disabled 
soldier, will here find evidence of the value of their labors, in 
the subjoined sketch from Mr. Taylor's eloquent and ever 
ready pen : 

WHEEE TOUK GIFTS GO. 

It is a white dusty ridge in Alabama; tall, slim oaks 
sprinkle it, and beneath them, in streets with a strange, far 
eastern look, stand the tents of one of those blessed cities of 
mercy — a field hospital. The sun pours hotly down ; a dis- 
tant drum snarls now and then as if in a dream ; the tinkling 
concert of a cloud of locusts- — the cicada of the South — comes, 
like the dear old sleigh-bell's chime, from a distant tree 
" The loud langh that tells the vacant mind " is unheard ; 
the familiar sound of closing doors and children's carol never 
rises there ; the tents swell white, and sad and still. Within 
them lie almost three thousand soldiers, marred with all 
wounds conceivable, wasted with pain, parched with fever, 
wearily turning, wearily waiting to take up the blessed march. 
Ho, for the jN^orth ! That is the word, the ever-abiding 
charmer that " lingers still behind." It is Stephenson ; it is 
Nashville ; it is Louisville ; it is home ; it is heaven. Alas for 
it, how they falter and sleep by the way ! And every one of 
these men was somebody's boy once ; had a mother once, a 
wife, a sister, a sweetheart; but "better is a friend that is 
near, than a brother afar off,"— and now comes the blessed 
mission of woman. True, there are only two here in person, 
but how many in heart and work ! 

You have been thinking, my sisters, where is your work in 
all these scenes ? That snowy roll of linen ; that little pillow 
beneath the sufierer's head ; that soft fold across the gashed 
breast ; that cooling drink the rude, kind, stalwart nurse is 
putting to yonder boy's white lips; that delicacy this poor 
fellow is just partaking ; that dressing gown whose broidered 



WHEEE TOUK GIFTS GO. 129 

hem tliose long thin fingers toiled with. ; the slippers a 
world too wide for the thin, faltering feet ; a dish of fruit a 
left hand is slowly working at, his right laid upon our Federal 
altar at Chickamauga, never to be lifted more. Your tree, 
my sister, l)ore that fruit; your fingers wrought, your heart 
conceived. "What do the women say about us boys at 
home ?" slowly asked a poor wreck of a lad, as I sat by his 
side. That brow of his ached, I know, for the touch of a 
loving hand, and the " sound of a voice that is still." At the 
moment he asked the question, he was turning over a little 
silken needle book that one of you laughing girls made some 
day, and tucked in a corner of a bag labeled " United States 
Sanitary Commission." 

On the cover of that book you had wrought the words — 
playfully, perhaps — " My bold soldier boy." I silently pointed 
to the legend ; the reply struck home to his heart ; and he 
burst into tears. I assure you they were not bitter tears he 
shed, and as he wiped them away, with a fine film of a hand- 
kerchief you girls had hemmed f )r him, his question was twice 
answered, and he was content. His eyelids closed down, and 
his breathing was regular ; he had fallen asleep, and I thought 
it was the picture of the " Soldier's Dream " over again. 

You hear of the mal-appropriation of your gifts, but never 
fear ; one grain may fail, but two will spring up and blossom 
into " forget-me-not." Your work is everywhere. Go with 
me to that tent standing apart; it is the dead-house tent. 
Four boys in their brown blankets, four white wood cofiins, 
four labels with four names on four still breasts. Two of the 
four garments the sleepers wear are of linen ft*om your stores, 
stitched by your fingers. Yerily, the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid 
Societies should be named " Mary," for are they not like her 
of old, " last at the cross and earKest at the grave 2" 

9 



130 



ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 



THE KURSE'S WORK. 

ANONTISIOUS. 

On tlie wide battle-fields, 

Or close to its edge, 
Stand we witli tent-cloth. 

Cordage and wedge. 
Lift up the canvass ; 

Shake ont the straw ; 
Have ready the cordials ; 

Cooling draughts di-aw. 

Bear in the wonnded ; 

Bend gently down ; 
(Some mother's sons they are, 

This day our own.) 
Woman, with soft touch. 

Bathe this young hrow ; 
Ton, with the strong arm, 

Eaise that soldier now. 



A cup of cold water 

Eor him wounded sore : , 

He asks if a brother 

Needs it no more. 
Look ! on tliis dark skin 

Grim slave-scars are found. 
Where the blood rushes red 

From the freedman's deep wound. 

Tew words are spoken — 

We bandage and feed 
Our soldiers and prisoners 

In perilous need. 



THE WESTERN SOLDIEK. 13l 

Comfort and liglit throw 

Over death's passage, 
And for beloved ones 

Receive the hist message. 

Pale lips have uttered 

Thanks for our care : 
Seldom a groan is heard ! 

Oft whispered prayer ; 
God and man aid us 

In work to be done, 
Till, through the struggle^ 

Freedom is won. 



THE WESTERN SOLDIER. 

The prairie type of the human race is an interesting study 
of ISTatural History ! We have long watched its development 
under the working of our country's progress. It is very 
sketchily portrayed here : 

"If there are men in the world gifted with the most 
thorough self-reliance, western soldiers are the men. To fight 
in the grand anger of battle seems to me to require less manly 
fortitude, after all, than to bear without murmuring the swarm 
of little troubles that vex camp and march, '^o matter where 
or when you halt, there they are at once at home. They know 
precisely what to do first, and they do it. I have seen them 
march into a strange region at dark, and almost as soon as 
fires would show well, they were twinkling all over the field, 
the Sibley cones rising like the work of enchantment every- 
where, and the little dog-tents lying snug to the ground, as if. 
like the mushrooms, they had grown there, and the aroma of 



132 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

coffee and tortured bacon, snggesting creature comforts, and 
tlie whole economy of a life in canvas cities moving as steadily 
on as if it liad never intermitted. The movements of regi- 
ments, you know, are as blind as fate. JNobody can tell to- 
night where he will be to-morrow, and yet with the first 
glimmer of morning the camp is astir, and the preparations 
begin for staying there forever ; cozy little cabins of red cedar, 
neatly fitted, are going up ; here a boy is making a fire-place, 
and quite artistically plastering it with the inevitable red 
earth ; he has found a crane somewhere and swung up thereon 
a two-legged dinner-pot ; there a fellow is finishing out a 
chimney with brick from an old kiln of secession proclivities ; 
yonder a bower-house closely woven of evergreens is almost 
ready for the occupants ; tables, stools, bedsteads are tumbled 
together by the roughest of caqienters ; the avenues between 
the lines of tents are cleared and smoothed — 'policed,' in camp 
phrase — little seats with cedar awnings in front of the tents 
give a cottage look ; while the interior, in a rude way, has a 
genuine home-like air. The bit of a looking-glass hangs 
against the cotton wall ; a handkerchief of a carpet just before 
the ' bunk ' marks the stepping-off place to the land of dreams ; 
a violin case is strung up to a convenient hook, flanked by a 
gorgeous picture of some hero of somewhere mounted upon a 
horse rampant and saltant, ' and what a length of tail behind !' 
" Every wood, ravine, hill, field, is explored ; the produc- 
tions, animal and vegetable, are inventoried, and one day 
renders these soldiers as thoroughly conversant with the region 
round about as if they had been dwelling there a lifetime. 
They have tasted water from every spring and well, estimated 
the corn to the acre, tried the water-melons, "gagged" the 
peaches, knocked down the persimmons, milked the cows, 
roasted the pigs, picked the chickens ; they know who lives here 
and there and yonder, the whereabouts of the native boys, the 
names of the native girls. If there is a curious cave, a queer 
tree, a strange rock anywhere about, they know it. You can 
Bee them with the chisel, hammer and haversack, tugging up 



PHILOSOPHY OF A CONTKABAND. 133 

the mountain or scrambling down the ravine in a geological 
passsion that would have won the right hand of fellowship 
from Hugh Miller, and home they come with specimens that 
would enrich a cabinet. I have in my possession the most 
exquisite fossil buds just ready to open, beautiful shells, rare 
minerals, collected by these rough and dashing naturalists. 
If you think the rank and file have no taste for the beautiful, 
it is time you remembered of what material our armies are 
made. ISTothing will catch a soldier's eye quicker than a patch 
of velvet moss, or a fresh little flower, and many a letter leaves 
the camp enriched with faded souvenirs of these expeditious. 

" The business of living has fairly begun again. 

" But at five o'clock some dingy morning, obedient to 
sudden orders, the regiments march away in good cheer ; the 
army wagons go streaming and swearing after them ; the beat 
of the drum grows fainter ; the last straggler is out of sight ; 
the canvas city has vanished like a vision. On such a morning 
and amid such a scene I have loitered till it seemed as if a 
busy city had passed out of sight, leaving nothing behind for 
all that life and light, but empty desolation. Will you wonder 
much if I tell you that I have watched such a vanishing with 
a pang of regret ; that the trampled field looked dim to me, 
worn smooth and beautiful by the touch of those brave feet 
whose owners have trod upon thorns with song — feet, alas, 
how many, that shall never again in all this coming and going 
world make music upon the old thresholds ! And how many 
such sites of perished cities this war has made ; how many 
bonds of good-fellowship have been rent to be united no more !" 



PHILOSOPHY OF A CONTRABAND. 

An elderly darkey, with a very philosophical and retro- 
Bpective cast of countenance, was squatting upon his bundle 
on the hurricane deck of one of the Western river steamers, 



134 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

toasting his sliins against tlie cliimney, and apparently plunged 
in a state of profound meditation. His appearance and dress 
indicated familiarity with camp life, and it being soon after 
the siege and capture of Fort Donelson, I was inclined to dis- 
turb his reveries, and on interrogation, found he had been 
with the Union forces at that place, when I questioned him 
further. His philosophy was so much in the Falstafhan vein, 
that I will give his views in his own words, as near as, my 
memory will serve me. 

" Were you in the fight ?" 

" Had a little taste of it, sa." 

" Stood your ground, did you.?' ' 

" Ko, sa, I runs." 

" Run at the first fire, did you ?" 

" Yes, sa, and would hab run soona hab I knowd it was 
coming." 

" Why, that wasn't very creditable to your courage." 

" Dat isn't in my line, sa — cookin's my profession." 

" Well, but have you no regard for your reputation ?" 

" Reputation's nuffin to me by de side ob life." 

" Do you consider your life worth more than other people's ?" 

" It's worth more to me, sa." 

" Then you must value it very highly." 

"Yes, sa, I does — more dan all dis world — more dan a 
million ob dollars, sa, for what would dat be wuth to a man 
wid de bref out of him ? Self-preserbashun am de fust law 
wid me, sa." 

" But why should you act upon a different rule from other 
men?" 

" Cause, sa, different men sets difierent value upon dar- 
selves. My life is not in the market." 

" But if you lost it, you would have the satisfaction of 
knowing that you died for your country," 

" What satisfaction would dat be to me, when the power 
ob feelin' was gone?" 

" Then patriotism and honor are nothing to you I" 



THE cokpokal's contkaband tukkey. 135 

" ISTniBn whatever, sa — I regard dem as among de vanities." 

" If our soldiers were like yon, traitors might have broken 
up the Government without resistance." 

" Yes, sa, dar would hab been no help for it. I wouldn't 
put my life in the scale 'ginst any gobernment dat eber existed, 
for no gobernment could replace de loss to me. 'Spect, dough, 
dat de gobernment safe if dey all like me." 

"Do you think any of your company would have missed 
you if you had been killed ?" 

" May be not, sa. A dead white man ain't much to dese 
sogers, let alone a dead nigga, but I'd a missed myself, and 
dat was de pint wid me." 

It is safe to say that the dusky corpse of that African will 
never darken the field of carnage. 



THE COEPOEAL'S COl^TEABAND TUEKET. 

The soldier has a tedious time in wearing out the monotony 
of camp life, especially when the rations get low, or are of a 
quality that is not much better than it should be. But several 
thousand men, huddled together for many idle months, must 
needs have some fun ; they will have it, too, and if it partakes 
of utility, so much the better. Fun and food they must have, 
and with three-fourths of their time to themselves, it would be 
a wonder if they did not concoct some plan that would bring 
them both. - / 

Whe-n Buell's army was camping in Kentucky, one of the 
boys came across a secesh barn, which appeared to be the 
head-quarters of a squad of rebel turkeys. He accordingly 
reported to " Corporal Ben," who was generally the ofiicer in 
command on such occasions. 

" Good !" said Ben. " Them fellers are contraband, and 



136 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

■we must make a reconnoissance in force, take a few prisoners 
and replenish our mess. Whose are they ?" 

" They belong to old Grudge, over there," replied Sam. 
" We shall have to be sly about it, for he's a mean old cuss, 
and wouln't let a fellow pick the bone of one o' them if he 
could help it. He's always on the watch." 

" We'll try it," said Ben. " I'll get Duke to go along." 

Accordingly when night came, the corporal led his force 
before the aforesaid barn and demanded a surrender. Silence, 
of course, gave consent, and the corporal and his company 
proceeded to take charge of the prisoners, while Duke was 
detailed to act as guard, and watch for the appearance of old 
Grudge, 

Ben climbed up on the high beams and began to pass 
down the astonished turkeys to Sam, who stood ready below 
to receive them. Ben had just handed down a worthy gobbler, 
when the proceedings were suspended by the hoarse baying 
of a sturdy bull dog, who, came tearing down the lane. 

" A dog !" cried the guard, in a very loud whisper. 

" The dog, Ben," repeated Sam. 

" Shoot him, Duke," commanded Ben. 

"I*^ary shoot," said Duke. "It'll rout old Grudge. 1 
must change my base of operations." And the guard stepped 
round the barn and climbed an apple tree. Sam, also looked 
this way and that way for a place of safety. But what is to be 
done must be done quickly, for the dog is already pouring his 
volleys of bark in at the very door. At this juncture Sam 
discovered the meal bin. In a twinkling he raised the Kd and 
plunged himself head and ears in the yielding meal. 

In the mean time the dog came in, and spying Ben perched 
upon the beam with the turkeys, set up a renewed yelling. 
This condition of things could not long be endm'ed. The 
repeated calls of the dog had routed the master, whose heayy 
footsteps were already heard, plodding down the path. Sam 
raised the lid of his guard-house and sung out : 

"HeUo! Ben!" 



THE CORPOEAl's CONTRABAND TURKEY. 137 

" Hello, yourself ; what's the matter?" 

" I'm in a predicament." 

" It's a good thing, or the dog might eat you." 

" What's to be done ?" 

" Keep dark, old Grudge is coming." 

" How can I keep dark when I'm all white ? I'm neck 
and heels in the meal tub. Shoot that beggarly dog, and let's 
get out of this." 

" I darsn't," says Ben, " the old man is right here and I 
must save it for him." 

" O Lord!" exclaimed Sam, and down went the lid, just as 
the light of a lantern relieved the darkness of the barn, and 
revealed the plethoric form of old Grudge, with his musket. 
His wife was close at his heels. The dog's noise pointed in 
the direction of the corporal, who was sitting, demurely, up 
among the turkeys. 

" What are you doing up there, you thieving Yankee," said 
Grudge, savagely. 

" Roosting, you blubberly old Butternut. 

'"Benighted, cold, aud drenched with rain, 
I sought this shelter' — 

Up among the turkeys. What do you want?" 

" Come down !" demanded the old man, at the same time 
pointing the ominous looking musket at the corporal. 

" I should think you might let a fellow rest," said Ben. 

" The nasty, thieving Yankee!" exclaimed the old woman, 
" to go fer to steal our turkeys ; better shoot him at once and 
it'll be a warnin' to the rest o' them fellers." 

" Quit, quit," peeped a turkey. 

" I second that motion," said Ben. " I say quit, and don't 
point that old musket up here ; it might go off and hurt some 
of the turkeys." 

Click, went the trigger, which was followed by another 
" order more peremptory than the first. 

" Hold on, old Butternut," said Ben, boldly, " you'd better 



188 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

not slioot that. Don't you know that I've got a squad of men 
at the end of the barn ? They'll eat you up in two minutes. 
They're all-fired hungry." 

At this juncture Sam carefully raised the lid of his box 
and crept out. He was white with meal from head to foot, 
and looked exceedingly like a ghost. This suggested the idea 
to Ben, and he continued, addressing old Grudge : 

" Besides, I'm one of them abolition Yankees that has the 
power of raising the devil, and I'll do it in a minute, too, if 
you don't put that gun out of the way." 

Sam took the hint, and placing the turkey astride of his 
neck, and grasping a leg in each hand, with a slow and 
measured step, and a sepulchral groan, he stalked up towards 
the old folks with the turkey's wings flapping furiously upon 
his shoulders. At this moment the guard, who was in the 
apple-tree and heard the conversation, fired three of his five 
shots in quick succession. Ben added another to the list, 
which happily passed through the dog's heart. 

" O, Lord!" shrieked the old woman, "thar's that thar 
ghost !" 

" The devil !" cried the old man, and nervously discharged 
his piece. The ball took efiect on Sam's turkey, knocking it 
from his shoulders and flooding his face with blood, which 
trickled down his bosom, making little rills in the meal. The 
old man supposing he had shot the devil's head clean away, 
was so astonished, when Sam commenced singing : 

" The devil he came to the farmer's ono day." 

that he turned and followed in the wake of his old woman, 
who was screaming her way up towards the house. The boys 
took a turkey in each hand, and with one accord hurried 
away, and soon arrived safely in camp with their booty. 

The next day old Grudge came into camp to see about his 
tti'keys. Ben spied him, and sideling up to him, whispered : 



THE TENNESSSEE BLACKSMITH. 139 

" Look here, old fellow, if you don't get out of tliis I'll have 
the devil after you again !" 

The old man concluded to take the turkey's advice, and 
quit. 



A STOEY OF THE WAE; 

OK, THE TENNESSEE BLACKSMITH. 

]!!^EAE the cross-roads, not far from the Cumberland Moun- 
tains, stood the village forge. The smith was a sturdy man 
of fifty. He was respected, wherever known, for his stern 
integrity. He served God, and did not fear man — and, it 
might be safely added, nor the devil either. His courage was 
proverbial in the neighborhood ; and it was a common remark, 
when wishing to pay any person a high compliment, to say, 
" He is as brave as old Bradley." One night, toward the close 
of September, as he stood alone by the anvil plying his labors, 
his countenance evinced a peculiar satisfaction as he brought 
his hammer down with a ponderous stroke on the heated iron. 
Wliile blowing the bellows he would occasionally pause and 
shake his head, as if communing with himself. He was 
evidently meditating upon something of a serious nature. It 
was during one of the pauses that the door was thrown open, 
and a pale, trembling figure staggered into the shop, and, 
sinking at the smith's feet, faintly ejaculated : 

*' In the name of Jesus, protect me !" 

As Bradley stooped down to raise the prostrate form, tliree 
men entered, the foremost one exclaiming : 

" We've treed him at last ! There he is ! — seize him !" and 
as he spoke he pointed at the crouching figure. 

The others advanced to obey the order, but Bradley sud- 
denly arose, seized the sledge-hammer, and brandishing it 
about his head as if it were a sword, exclaimed : 



140 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

"Back! Toucli Mm not; or, by the grace of God, I'll 
brain ye !" 

They hesitated, and stepped backward, not wishing to 
encounter the sturdy smith, for his countenance plainly told 
them that he meant what he said. 

" Do you give shelter to an aboKtionist ?" fiercely shouted 
the leader. 

" I give shelter to a weak, defenceless man," replied the 
smith. 

" He is an enemy !" vociferated the leader. 

"Of the devil!" ejaculated Bradley. 

"He is a spy*! an abolitionist hound!" exclaimed the 
leader, with increased vehemence ; " and we must have him. 
So I tell you, Bradley, you had better not interfere. Ton 
know you are already suspected, and if you insist upon shelter- 
ing him, it will confirm it." 

^'Sus-2?ect-ed ! Suspected of what?" exclaimed the smith, 
in a firm tone, riveting his gaze upon the speaker. 

" Why, of adhering to the I^orth," was the teply. 

"Adhering to the !North!" ejaculated Bradley, as he cast 
his defiant glances at the speaker. " I adhere to no North !" 
he continued ; "I adhere to my country — my whole country — 
and will, so help me God ! as long as I have breath," he added, 
as he brought the sledge hammer to the ground with great force. 

" You had better let us have him, Bradley, without further 
trouble. Ton are only risking your own neck by your inter- 
ference." 

" ISTot so long as I have life to defend him," was the answer. 
Then pointing toward the door, he continued : " Leave my 
shop !" And as he spoke, he again raised the sledge hammer. 

They hesitated a moment, but the firm demeanor of the 
smith awed them into compliance with the order. 

" You'll regret this morning, Bradley," said the leader, as 
he retreated. 

"Go!" was the reply of the smith, as he pointed toward 
the door. 



THE TENNESSEE BLACKSMITH, 14] 

Bradley followed them menacingly to the entrance of the 
shop, and watched them until thej disappeared from sight 
down the road. When he turned to go back into the shop he 
was met by the fugitive, who, grasping his hand, exclaimed : 

" Oh ! how shall I ever be able to thank you, Mr. Bradley ?" 

" This is no time for tlianks, Mr, Peters, unless it is to the 
Lord ; you must fly the country, and that at once !" 
' " But my wife and children ?" 

" Mattie and I will attend to them. But you must go to- 
night!" 

"To-night!" 

" Yes. In the morning, if not before, they will return with 
a large force and carry you oflf, and probably hang you on the 
"first tree. You must leave to-night, 

"But how?" 

" Mattie will conduct you to the rendezvous of our friends. 
There is a party made up who intend to cross the mountains 
and join the Union forces in Kentucky, They were to start 
to-night. They have provisions for the jom'ney, and will 
gladly share with you," 

At this moment a young girl entered the shop and hur- 
riedly said : 

" Father, what is the trouble to-night !" Her eye resting 
upon the fugitive, she approached him, and, in a sympathizing 
tone continued : " Ah, Mr, Peters, has your turn come so 
soon?" 

This was Mattie. She was a fine rosy girl, just passed her 
eighteenth birthday, and the sole daughter of Bradley's home 
and heart. She was his all — his wife had been dead five years. 
He turned toward her, and, in a mild but firm tone, said : 

" Mattie, you must conduct Mr. Peters to the rendezvous 
immediately, then return, and we will call at the parsonage to 
cheer his family. Quick ! ISTo time is to be lost. The blood- 
thirsty fiends are upon the track. They have scented their 
prey and will not rest until they have secured him. They may 



142 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

return mncli sooner than we expect. So haste, daughter, and 
God bless je!" 

This was not the iirst time that Mattie had been called 
upon to perform such an office. She had safely_ conducted 
several Union men, who had been hunted from their homes 
and sought shelter with her father, to the place designated, 
from whence thej made their escape across the mountains into 
Kentucky. Turning to the fugitive, she said : 

" Come, Mr. Peters, do not stand upon ceremony, but 
follow me." 

She left the shop and proceeded but a short distance up the 
road, and then turned oif into a by-path through a strip of 
woods, closely followed by the fugitive. A brisk walk of half 
an hour brought them to a small house that stood alone in a 
secluded spot. Here Mattie was received with a warm wel- 
come by several men, some of whom were engaged in running 
bullets, while others were cleaning their rifles and fowling- 
pieces. The lady of the house, a hale woman of forty, was 
busy stuiFing the wallets of the men with biscuits. She 
greeted Mattie very kindly. The fugitive, who was known to 
two or three of the party, was received in a bluif, frank spirit 
of kindness by all, saying that they would make him chaplain 
of the Tennessee regiment when they got to Kentucky. 

When Mattie was about to return home, two of the party 
prepared to accompany her, but she protested, warning them 
of the danger, as the enemy were doubtless abroad in search 
of the minister. But, notwithstanding, they insisted, and 
accompanied her until she reached the road, a short distance 
above her father's shop. Mattie hurried on, but was somewhat 
surprised upon reaching the shop to find it vacant. She has- 
tened to the house, but her father was not there. As she 
returned to go to the shop, she thought she could hear 
the noise of horses' hoofs clattering down the road. She 
listened, but the sound soon died away. Going into the shop 
she blew the fire into a blaze ; then beheld that the things 
were in great confusion, and that spots of blood were upon 



THE TENNESSEE BLACKSMITH 14:3 

the ground. She was now convinced that her father had been 
seized and carried olf, but not without a desperate struggle on 
his part. 

As Mattie stood gazing at the marks of blood, a wagon, 
containing two persons, drove np, one of whom, an athletic 
young man of five and twenty years, got out and entered the 
shop. 

" Good evening, Mattie ! Where is your father ?" he said 
Then observing the strange demeanor of the girl, he con- 
tinued : " Why, Mattie, what ails you ? What has happened ?" 

The young girl's heart was too full for her tongue to give 
utterance, and throwing herself upon the shoulder of the 
young man, she sobbingly exclaimed : 

" They have carried him off! Don't you see the blood?" 

" Have they dared to lay hands upon your father ? The 
infernal wretches !" 

Mattie recovered herself sufiiciently to narrate the events 
of the evening. When she had finished, he exclaimed : 

" Oh, that I should have lived to see the day that old 
Tennessee was to be thus disgraced ! Here, Joe!" 

At this, the other person in the wagon alighted and entered 
the shop. Pie was a stalwart negro. 

"Joe," continued the young man, "you would like your 
freedom ?" 

" Well, Massa John, I wouldn't like very much to leabe 
you ; but den I'se like to be a free man." 

" Joe, the white race have maintained their liberty by 
their valor. Are you willing to fight for yours ? Ay, fight to 
the death ?" 

" I'se fight for yous any time, Massa John." 

" I believe you, Joe. But I have desperate work on hand 
to-night, and I do not want you to engage in it without a 
prospect of reward. If I succeed I will make you a free man. 
It is a matter of life and death — will you go ?" 

" I will, Massa." 

" Then kneel down and swear before the everlivin^ God 



144 ANECDOTES, IKCIBENTS, ETC. 

that, if you falter or shrink the danger, you may hereafter be 
consigned to everlasting fire !" 

" I swear, Massa," said the negro, kneeling. "And I hope 
that Gor Almighty may strike me dead if I don't go wid you 
■ through fire and water and ebery ting !" 

" I am satisfied, Joe," said his master ; then turning to the 
young girl, who had been a mute spectator of this singular 
scene, he continued : 

"JSTow, Mattie, you get in the wagon, and I'll drive down 
to the parsonage, and you remain there with Mrs. Peters and 
the children until I bring you some intelligence of your father." 

While the sturdy old blacksmith was awaiting the return 
of his daughter, the party that he had repulsed returned with 
increased numbers and demanded the minister. A fierce 
quarrel ensued, which resulted in their seizing the smith and 
carrying him oif. They conveyed him to a tavern half a mile 
distant from the shop, and there he was arraigned before what 
was termed a vigilance committee. 

The committee met in a long room on the ground floor, 
.dimly lighted by a lamp which stood upon a small table in 
front of the chairman. In about half an hour after Bradley's 
arrival, he was placed before the chairman for examination. 
The man's arms were pinioned, but nevertheless he cast a 
defiant look upon those around him. 

" Bradley, this is a grave charge against you. What have 
you to say ?" said the chairman. 

"What authority have you to ask? demanded the smith, 
fiercely eyeing his interrogator. 

" The authority of the people of Tennessee," was the reply. 

" I deny it." 

" Your denials amount to nothing. Ton are accused of 
harboring an abolitionist, and the penalty of that act, you 
know, is death. What have you to say to the charge ?" 

" I say that it is a lie, and that he who utters such charges 
against me is a scoundrel !" 

" Simpson," said the chaii-mau to the leader of the band 



THE TENNESSEE BLACKSMITH. 1A6 

that had captured Bradley, and who now appeared with a 
large bandage about his head, to bind uj) a wound which was 
the result of a blow from the fist of Bradley. " Simpson," 
continued the chairman, " what have you to say ?" 

Tlie leader then stated that he had tracked the preacher to 
the blacksmith's shop, and that Bradley had resisted his 
arrest, and that upon their return, he could not be found, and 
that the prisoner refused to give any information concerning 
him. 

" Do you hear that, Mr. Bradley ?" said the chairman. 

"I do. What of it ?" was the reply. 

" Is it true ?" 

."Yes." 

" Where is the preacher ?" 

"That is none of your business." 

"Mr. Bradley, this tribunal is not to be insulted with 
impunity. I again demand to know where Mr. Peters is. 
Will you tell r 

"No." 

" Mr. Bradley, it is well known that you are not only a 
member, but an exhorter in Mr. Peter's church, and therefore 
some little excuse is to be made for your zeal in defending 
him, lie is from the North, and has long been suspected, 
and is now accused of being an abolitionist and a dangerous 
man. You do not deny sheltering him, and refusing to give 
him up. If you persist in "this, you must take the conse- 
quences. I ask you for the last time if you will inform us of 
his Mdiereabouts ?" 

"And aijain I answer No ! " 

" Mr Bradley, there is also another serious charge against 
you, and your conduct in this instance confirms it. You are 
accused of giving comfort to the enemies of your country. 
What have you to say to that ?" 

" I say it is false, and that he who makes it is a villain !" 

" I accuse him of being a traitor, aiding the cause of the 
Union," said Simpson. 

10 



146 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

" If my acUierence to tlie Union merits for me tlie name of 
traitor, then I am proud of it. I have been for the Union, am 
still for the Union, and will be for the Union as long as life 
lasts !" 

At these words, the chairman clutched a pistol that lay 
upon the table before him, and the bright blade of Simpson's 
bowie-knife glittered near Bradley's breast ; but before he 
could make the fatal plunge, a swift-winged messenger of 
death laid him dead at the feet of his intended victim, while, 
at the same instant, another plunged into the heart of the 
chairman, and he fell forward over the table, extinguishing 
the light and leaving all in darkness. Confusion reigned. 
The inmates of the room were panic-stricken. 

In the midst of the consternation a firm hand rested upon 
Bradley's shoulder ; his bonds were severed, and he hurried 
out of the open window. He was again a free man, but was 
hastened forward into the woods at the back of the tavern, 
and through them to a road a quarter of a mile distant, then 
into a wagon, and driven rapidly off. In half an hour the 
smith made one of the party at the rendezvous that was to 
start at midnight across the mountains. 

"John," said the smith, as he grasped the hand of his 
rescuer, while his eyes glistened and a tear coursed down his 
furrowed cheek, " I should like to see Mattie before I go." 

" You shall," was the reply. 

In another hour the blacksmith clasped his daughter to his 
bosom. 

It was an affecting scene — there, in that lone house in the 
wilderness, surrounded by men who had been di'iven from 
their homes for their attachment to the principles for which 
the patriot fathers fought and bled — the sturdy old smith, a 
type of the heroes of other days, pressing his daughter to his 
breast, while the tear coursed down his furrowed cheek. 

He felt that perhaps it was to be his last embrace ; for his 
resolute heart had resolved to sacrifice his all upon the altar 
of his country, and he could no longer watch over the safety 



THE TENNESSEE BLACKSMITH, 147 

of his only cliild. Was slie to be left to the mercy of the 
parricidal wretches who were attempting to destroy the 
country that had given them birth, nm'sed their infancy, and 
opened a wide field for them to display the abilities with 
which nature has endowed them ? 

" Mr. Bradley," said his rescuer, after a short pause, " as 
you leave the State, it will be necessary, in these troublous 
times, for Mattie to have a protector, and I have thought that 
our marriage had better take place to-night." 

" Well, John," he said, as he relinquished his embrace and 
gazed with a fond look at her who was so dear to him, " I 
shall not object if Mattie is willing." 

" Oh ! we arranged all that as we came along," replied the 
young man. 

Mattie blushed, but said nothing. 

In a short time the hunted-down minister was called upon 
to perform a marriage service in that lone house. It was an 
impressive scene. Yet no diamonds glittered upon the neck 
of the bride ; no pearls looped up her tresses ; but a pure love 
glowed within her heart as she gave utterance to a vow which 
was registered in heaven, 

Bradley, soon after the ceremony, bade his daughter and 
her husband an affectionate farewell,- and set out with his 
friends to join others who had been driven from their homes, 
and were now rallying under the old flag to fight for the 
Union, and as they said, " Redeem old Tennessee !" 




148 ANECDOTES, IKCIDEIfTSj ETC 



HOW A BLOCKADE-EUNKER WAS CAUGHT. 

The following is a liigWy interesting account of a shrewd 
trick by -whicli a blockade-running steamer was trapped in 
her voyage from I^^assau towards Charleston : 

HARBOE OF NASSAU. 

The harbor was crammed with craft of all sorts and sizes ; 
the bay was full of shipping ; the little streets were crowded, 
and there was a continual stir and turmoil on the quay, all 
too small for the press of traffic that daily poured in. All 
this animation, all this activity, had been caused by the 
federal blockade of the southern coast ; and the cheerful faces 
of the burghers attested the fact that Nassau was the great 
emporium for contraband of war and smuggled cotton, and 
that much money was being spent in the island by those 
employed in this gainful but perilous commerce. Wherever 
I went, in tavern, grocery, store or counting-honse, there was 
but one all-engrossing topic, one common sul)ject of interest — 
the blockade. Such and such a schooner had been taken; 
such a brig had been burned, cargo and all, to keep her out 
of Yankee hands ; such a droger had come in with cotton ; 
such a steamer had got safe to Charleston, with so many 
thousand stand of arms oH board. The Black-eyed Susan 
had been sunk by the United States gunboat Sloper — no, she 
had only received four round shot in her hull, and had 
escaped among the sand-keys. Who had insured the Delight ? 
They would lose smartly, for the vessel had been condemned, 
whereas the Fly-by-Night, had got into Charleston securely, 
and her freight of Blakely guns was worth twenty-three 
thousand dollars, net profit. 

All this gambling and venturing, this staking of fortunes 
on the speed of a vessel, or the wariness of a captain, was 
thrillingly exciting to the brokers, merchants and other 



HOW A BLOCKADE-EUNNEK WAS CAUGHT. 149 

speculators wlio swarmed in the ISTassaii boarding-houses, and 
who had only a pecuniary interest in the game. And I per- 
ceived that the risks nearly balanced the favorable chances ; 
that if many escaped, many were taken ; and the loss of a 
ship was philosophically borne by her owners. 

HE ENGAGES PASSAGE. 

At last he found a steamer about to sail. " When do you 
start ?" he asked the captain. 

The commander's voice sunk to a whisper as he told me 
that at sunset every landsman must come on board, taking 
boat at some secluded jetty, to avoid prying-eyes ; and using 
all reasonable caution, since Nassau teemed with Northern 
spies. Half an hour after sundown he was to hoist a signal, 
which was to be replied to ; and then the pilot would come 
ofi', and the steamer would stand out to sea. 

"After dark," muttered Pritchard, with an oath, " we may 
hope to get past that Yankee thief that hangs about the 
island. The Governor bade her keep at the distance of one 
marine league, but she's always sneaking in — now for coal, 
now for bread, now because her engine's out of order ; and 
the United States consul communicates with her every day. 
I tell you, shipmate, there isn't one of us that isn't dogged up 
and down by rascals in federal hire. See there ! that mulatto 
hound has been after me these four days," pointing to a dark 
complexioned fellow in the di'ess of a stevedore, who, on 
seeing himself observed, as he stood under the geranium 
hedge, lay down with well-feigned nonchalance, and lit his 
pipe. ^' " ^ '^ ^^ ^ * 

I found a good deal of quiet bustle and suppressed excite- 
ment on board the Bonny-bell. The fires were banked up ; 
the swarthy faces and red shirts of the engineer and his gang 
were visible at the hatch of their Cyclopean den, getting a 
breath of the cool breeze before startins;. Some brass suns, 
that had been hidden under fruit-baskets, hencoops and tar 



150 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

paulins, were visible enough now ; and beside them lay piled 
little heaps of round shot. The crew bustled to and fro, and 
the captain was so busy that he could but return a brief word 
and a nod to my greeting. The sky grew darker, and sur- 
rounding objects dimmer every instant. 

THE PASSENGEES. 

Before long the passengers arrived. Several southern 
gentlemen, a few ladies and children, all making their way 
back from Europe to their homes in Carolina or Virginia by 
this dangerous route, and all in peril of harsh imprisonment at 
least, in the event of capture. By the uncertain light I could 
see that most of them were pale and nervous ; but they talked 
in an undertone among themselves, and did not appear 
anxious to enter into conversation with strangers. 

" Get up steam !" 

By the time the hoarse roar of the escaping vapor grew 
loud and menacing, there was a fresh bustle on deck, and I 
heard the captain give orders to " stand by " for slipping from 
the moorings, and to hoist the signal, as we only waited for 
the pilot. 

" There they are, slick and right — three red hghts and a 
green one !" murmured a tall Virginian at my elbow ; and 
looking up, I saw the colored lamps glimmer from the mast- 
head. Instantly they were answered by a similar signal from 
some window on shore. 

THE PILOT. 

" We'll soon see the pilot now," said Pritchard, rubbing 
his hands in a cheery manner; "the signal's made and 
repeated. In ten minutes our man will be with us. Hilloa ! 
— ^boat ahoy ! — what dy'e want ?" 

" Bonny-bell ahoy !" was the rejoinder, in a shrill, harsh 
voice, cautiously lowered for the occasion; "pilot wants to 
come on board." 



HOW A BLOCKADE-EUNNEE WAS CAUGHT. 151 

There was a stir, and a start of surprise among those on 
deck, and as a rope was thrown to the boatmen. Captain 
Pritchard bent over the side, exclaiming : 

" You're unconnnon quick, mj hearty. If you've come 
from shore since the lights were hoisted, you must be own 
cousin to the Flying Dutchman, Are you sure you're our 
iDilot ?" 

" I'm the pilot engaged by Colonel Jeremy Carter, of 
Spottsylvania, if that'll do," answered a very tall, bony, 
black-haired man, as he actively ascended the side, " Zack 
Foster's my name, and I know every inch about Charleston, 
where I was raised," 

While the captain, reassured by the mention of Colonel 
Carter's name — gave hasty orders to cast off the cable and go 
ahead, I in common with the rest of the passengers and the 
unoccupied portion of the crew, looked with much interest at 
the new comer. The later was about forty years of age, long 
and lean of figure, with a hardy, sunbrowned face. There 
was no mistaking the resolute air and daring of the man ; his 
mouth was as firm as iron, though a Kttle dry humor seemed 
to lurk about his lips ; and I hardly hked the expression of 
his half-shut eyes, which had a lazy cunning in their dark 
glance. Still, though dressed in a black suit of shore-going 
clothes, and a swallow-tailed coat of antiquated cut, there was 
something about Mr. Zack Foster that bespoke the thorough- 
bred seaman. He took no share in the proceedings, for his 
duty did not begin till we were clear of ISTassau roadstead ; 
but yet he seemed impatient for the start, gnawing viciously 
at his quid, and drumming on the tafirail with a finger that 
seemed as hard and bi'own as bronze. 

BONNY-BELL SLIPS SEAWAEI). 

It was an anxious time when the Bonny-bell, under a full 
head of steam, went darting out of the bay ; her look-outs 
straining their eyes to pierce the mist, and give warning to 



152 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

the lielmsman of vessels ahead ; while Pritchard walked to 
and fro, too fidgety and eager to endure conversation, listen- 
ing every instant for some sound that was to indicate that the 
federal cruiser had taken the alarm. But on we went, without 
check or hindrance ; and we all drew our breath more freely 
as the lights of the town began one by one to vanish, as if the 
sea had swallowed them, and the dark headlands faded away 
into obscurity. The American gunboat was neither seen nor 
felt, a. circmnstance which I did not the less regret, because I 
perceived, not only by the display of the cannon alluded to, 
but by the resolute demeanor of several of the crew, who 
stood grouped about a couple of uncovered arm-chests, that 
our pigmy foe would not have found an entirely unresisting 
prize. 

A HAIL. 

One slight circumstance, hardly, as I thought, worth men- 
tioning, did occur before we had run half a mile to seaward. 
There came a long, faint hail, from so great a distance as to 
be hardly distinguishable even by a sailor's practised ear, but 
which was announced to be addressed to us. 

"Some boat, with a message, perhaps for a passenger. 
The lubbers deserve rope's-ending for being so late. Can I 
lie-to safely, do you think?" said Pritchard to the pilot, 
irresolutely, and giving the word, " Slacken speed !" What 
the pilot answered, I know not. I only caught the concluding 
phrase : 

" Yankee tricks ; so, cap, you'd best look shai-p about you." 

So Pritchard thought. He gave the word to go on at full 
speed, and we heard no more about the matter. 

THE EIJN. 

The run was speedy and pleasant, over a dimpling summer 
sea, with no boisterous behavior on Neptune's part to make 
even the lady passengers uneasy. "We saw several vessels, 



HOW A BLOCKADE EUNNEE WAS CATTGHT, 153 

but none of a Hostile character ; and the voyage was as 
agreeable and safe hitherto as any yachting excursion in 
holiday waters. We were all disposed to be pleased, and the 
pilot, although a saturnine and morose personage, viewed 
through this rose-colored haze of satisfaction and hope, became 
a popular man on board. Captain Pritchard pronounced him 
worth his weight in gold ; for if there were no gales or rough 
seas to thwart our purpose, fogs were rather frequent, and 
here the pilot's intimate acquaintance with the rocks, shoals 
and islands — many of which were not noted down in the chart 
— more than once saved the Bonny-Bell from an ugly thump 
u]3on some hidden obstacle. For an American, Zack Foster 
was singularly silent ; yet there was something elephantine 
about his high forehead and narrow dark eyes which suggested 
shrewdi\ess rather than faculty. He did his work, answered 
when spoken to, but seldom addressed any one. 

" Land ho !" sung out the look-out man at the masthead, 
and Pritchard and the Pilot, who were poring together over 
the mpp close to the binnacle, looked up, while the passengers 
edged nearer to hear the news. Pritchard lifted his telescope, 
while Foster went aloft for a better view. 

LA^B HO ! 

"Edisto Island, as I said, cap !" hailed the pilot; "and 
beyond it is the Carolina coast. We're close to home, gentle- 
men and ladies." 

There was a cheer from the little group gathered near the 
the helm, but directly afterwards came two shrill cries of 
" Sail ho !" 

" Uncle Sam's barkers. We must put out a few miles yet, 
cap," said the pilot, as he leisurely descended the rope-ladder. 
There were many good glasses on board, and we all gazed 
eagerly through them, and with beating hearts we recognized 
the portholes, the grinning cannon, the "star-spangled" flags, 
and warlike display of the federal blockading squadron. The 



154 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

steamer was put about, and we stood further out, until sliore 
and ships were alike lost to view. The disappointment of the 
passengers, who had been granted a mere glimpse of the land 
that to them was home, was considerable ; but none could doubt 
the prudence of delaying our entrance into Charleston harbor 
until night should assist us in eluding the hostile war-vessels. 
There was no going to bed on board the Bonny-bell that night ; 
we all kept to the deck, eagerly gazing over the sparkling and 
phosphorescent sea, glimmering and glancing with St. Ehno's 
fires. There was a pale young moon — a mere sickle of silver 
— in the sky ; and objects were so faintly discernible that the 
utmost caution was necessary. The second mate took the 
helm, while the first mate superintended the almost constant 
heaving of the lead, and the captain and pilot stood on the 
forecastle, noting the replies of the sailor, chanted as they 
were in a shrill monotone, in accordance with old custom. 

" Ten fathoms sheer ! By the deep, nine ! By the mark, 
seven !" called out the leadsman, from the chains. 

" Water allers does shoal here, cap. I know the channel, 
though, as well as I know my parlor ashore, at Nantucket — 
at Savannah, I mean," said the pilot, with some confusion. 

" By the mark, five !" was the next call. 

Captain Pritchard here grew uneasy. He did not pretend 
to equal the pilot in local knowledge, but he was too good a 
seaman not to take alarm at the abrupt lessening of the depth 
of water. He gave orders to reduce the speed, and we moved 
but slowly on, the lead going as before. 

"Are you sure, Mr. Foster, you are not mistaken? It 
seems to me the water shoals at the rate of a fathom for every 
hundred yards traversed. We may have missed the Swash, 
left Moultrie to leeward and got into the network of sand- 
banks near. Hilloa ! what's that ahead of us ? Boats, as I'm 
a sinner !" 



BOW A BLO CKADE-KUNNEE WAS CAtTGHT. 155 

AGROUND. 

At tlie same moment the pilot thrust his hand rapidly into 
the breast of his coat, drew out something and flung it on the 
deck, where it instantly began to sputter and hiss, and directly 
afterwards the lurid glare of a bliip light flashed through the 
darkness, showing funnel and rigging, the pale faces of the 
passengers, the narrow channel of fretted water and the sandy 
islets on either bow. ISTor was this all, for by the ghastly 
light we could distinguish two dark objects on the foamy sea 
ahead of us — boats full of men, pulling swiftly but noiselessly 
towards us, and no doubt, with muffled oars. 

" By the mark, two ! Shoal water — we're agroimd !" cried 
an ill-boding voice, that of the sailor in the cliains ; and the 
Bonny-bell came suddenly to a check, throv.^ing most*of the 
landsmen from their feet, while the ominous scrooping of the 
keel told that the steamer was aground. A loud clamor 
instantly arose, many voices shouting at once in tones of 
inquiry, dismay, or command ; but even above this turmoil 
arose the hurrah of those who manned the boats, and who 
now came dashing up, pulling and cheering like madmen. 

" Treachery ! treachery !" cried several of the passengers 
and crew, pointing to where the pilot stood beside the blue- 
light that his own perfidious hand had kindled, while already 
the man-of-war's men, for such we could not doubt them to 
be, beo-an to scramble on board. 



CAPTURED. 

"The Yankee bloodhounds, sure enough; but you shall 
not live to share the prize money!" exclaimed Pritchard, 
snatching up a handspike, and aiming a blow at Mr. Zack 
Foster that would have been a lethal stroke, had not that 
astute person swerved aside, receiving the weapon on his left 
shoulder. Our men set up a faint cheer, and a shot was fired, 
luckily without efibct. But resistance would have been mad- 



156 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

ness, so tliickly did the American sailors crowd up our gang 
way, their pistols and cutlasses ready for the fray, while 
among them were nine or ten marines, well armed with 
musket and bayonet, and who drove the Bonny-bell's crew 
below hatches without any serious show of fighting. The 
federal lieutenant in command, to do him justice, seemed 
anxious that no needless violence should be used ; and while 
proclaiming the vessel a prize to the boats of the United 
States war-brig Dacotah, he yet restrained the fury of that 
precious guide, Mr. Zack Foster, who had recovered from the 
efi'ects of his knock-down blow, drawn a bowie-knife, and 
rushed upon Pritchard, who was struggling in the hands of his 
captors. 

" Gently, sir," said the lieutenant ; " gently. Quartermaster 
Fitch. These caged birds are under Uncle Sam's protection, 
and I cannot allow any ill-usage of my prisoners. Do you 
hear me, sir ?" 

A KEVOLUTION. 

" Quartermaster !'' exclaimed poor Captain Pritchard, as 
his wrists were thrust into the hand-culis. " You don't mean 
that that double-dyed villain, that Judas of a pilot, is a 
Yankee petty officer, after all ! I wish I'd only guessed the 
truth a few hours back, and— if I swung for it — I'd have 
chucked the spy overboard as I would a mangy puppy !" 

The lieutenant made no answer, but ordered the captain 
and mates to be sent below, and proceeded at once to seize the 
steamer's papers, to place the passengers under arrest, and to 
take steps for getting the Bonny-bell off the sand-bank. He 
then compelled the engineer to set the machinery at work, 
and we ran down, under the skillful pilotage of Mr. Fitch, to 
Edisto Island ; in which anchorage we came to our moorings, 
under the guns of the Dacotah, and within a short distance 
of several other vessels of the blockading squadron." 



THE BATTLE-FIELD. 157 



THE BATTLE-FIELD. 

If the battle field, in the might of its miirclerons rattle, is 
grand and terrific, when the lull comes, when the excitement 
is oyer, it is equally disgusting, sickening and heart-rending. 
Here many of the brave soldiers lay as they had met their 
death. In one part of the battle-field of Antietam, in a large 
cornfield, just at the edge of a wood, where the rebels appeared 
to have suffered the most, their dead lay so thick that their 
dark forms, as an officer remarked, " lay like flies in a sugar 
bowl." A rifle-pit, which was charged upon by a Pennsylva- 
nia regiment, contained heaps of dead lying just as they had 
fallen — one upon the other. In a ravine three rebels had 
met their death apparently while eating their breakfast. A 
plate lay before them with food upon it, containing a spoon, 
and around them lay the scattered fragments of a shell wJiich 
had doubtless exploded in their midst, taking off the top of the 
head of one, and giving death wounds also to the others. 

It is a sorrowful sight that one sees in such a place. A 
hospital on the battle-field comprises all that is terrible in 
war — broken arms and legs, bones crushed and pulverized, 
flesh torn into shreds, eyes shot out, fingers shot off" — a place 
of groans, of agony, of death — most merciful of deliverers— o' 
bloody tables and amputations, of heroic endurance, and strong 
natures grappling with great sufferings. The surgeons and 
nurses worked assiduously. "Water for thirsty hps, blackened 
with gunpowder ; stimulants for exhausted natures ; bandages 
and dressings for flesh wounds ; and the knife for desperate cases. 

Stretched on straw, in front of a barn door, lay a Massachu- 
setts soldier — clear complexion, glossy and luxuriant hair and 
beard, a nose exquisitely chiseled, an eye black as the raven's 
wing and sparkling as a carbuncle — a man that would at once 
attract attention and admiration for the manly beauty of the 
face and tlie fine proportion of the body. His brother knelt 
beside him, smoothing back his hair and clasping his already 



158 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

stiffening liand. No words were spoken and no tears shed. 
Turning his head and fixing his gaze upon the sky, the dying 
soldier lay silent, gasping, the muscles about the mouth con- 
tracted, the nerves quivering with pain. Presently the color 
faded from the lips, the face whitened till it looked as pure 
and clear as marble, the eyes became dull and staring, a shud- 
der passed through the frame, and the spirit of the patriot 
and Christian stood revealed in the clear radiance of eternity. 
The agony was passed. The surviving brother, having seen 
the body j^laced in a position where he could recover it, 
shouldered his nmsket, and with heavy feet and heart, moved 
slowly forward to resume his place in the ranks, and his posi- 
tion in front of danger. This was but one of a hundred 
equally touching incidents. Yet there was a wonderful buoy- 
ancy of spirit among the wounded. They talked with great 
animation of the part they had taken in the fight of the morn 
ing, of the glorious conduct of their regiments and brigades, 
and made light of their wounds as an almost inevitable 
consequence, and from which they would speedily recover. 

It is strange what a difference there is in the composition 
of human bodies, with reference to the rapidity with which 
chanofe o-oes on after death. Several bodies of rebels strewed 
the ground on the bank, in the vicinity of the bridge. They 
fought behind trees, and fence-rail and stone-heap barricades, 
as many a bullet-mark in these defenses amply attested ; but 
all that availed not to avert death from these poor creatures. 
They had become frightfully discolored in the face and much 
swollen ; but there was one young man with his face so life- 
like, and even his eyes so bright, it seemed almost impossible 
that he could be dead. It was a lovely-looking corpse. He 
was a young man, not twenty-five, the soft, unshaven brown 
beard hardly asserting yet the fullness of the owner's man- 
hood. The features were too small, and the character of the 
face of too small and delicate an order to answer the require- 
ments of masculine beauty. In death his eye was the clearest 
blue, and would not part with its surpassingly gentle, amiable, 



THE BATTLE-FIELD. 159 

good, and charming expression. The face was like a piece of 
wax, only that it surpassed any piece of wax-work. 

One other young man, beardless yet, but of a brawnier 
type, furnished another example of sIom'' decomposition. His 
face was not quite as life-like ; still one could easily fancy 
him alive to see him any where else than on the field of car- 
nage ; and strange, his face wore an expression of mirth, as if 
he had just witnessed something amusing. A painful sight 
especially was the body of a rebel who had evidentl;^ died of 
his wounds, after lingering long enough at least to apply a 
handkerchief to his thigh himself as a tourniquet to stop the 
bleeding. His comrades were obliged to leave him, and our 
surgeons and men had so much else to do that they could not 
attend to him in time. Perhaps nothing could have saved 
him ; or perhaps, again, a skillful surgeon's hand might have 
restored him to life, love and usefulness. But he was doomed 
to lie there, sweltering in the hot sun, his throat crisped with 
thirst, till the life-blood oozed away, and his weakened vitality 
kindly suffered him to die a pangless death. 

Cool and stoical as one becomes by being continually in 
the midst of such carnage, the battle-field is one of the most 
revolting, horrible and heart-rending sights that the wildest 
imagination can conjure up. In some places the dead were 
lying two and three deep. The death of many is so instanta- 
neous that their arms are in full position of firing their pieces, 
while others still retain the bitten cartridge in their mouths or 
hands. Here lies one with his head buried in a mud hole, per- 
haps mortally wounded, and finished by the water ; there lies 
another like the corpse in Peale's " Court of Death," with his 
back across a log and his head and feet in the water. Two 
others were found clasped in each other's arms, but it was the 
firm grip of hate — the clutch of death. Each had received 
frightful wounds, and their sabres lay beside them, where they 
had probably been thrown when the combatants grasped each 
other. 

But all these are ever the sad results of battle*. Who shall 



160 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

comfort the bleeding hearts of the fathers and mothers, broth 
ers, sisters and wives of these wounded ones, who are, by the 
relentless hand of war, torn from their friends, and the bosoms 
of the loved ones at home? There is one comfort: Thej 
gave their lives a sacrifice to the liberty of their country. 
They have fought, and bled, and died for that banner which 
is the only emblem of Liberty, and which, in consequence ot 
their valor, shall yet float in more graceful folds in the blue 
face of heaven, a type to all nations of the triumph of Liberty. 



PEKILS OF A SCOUT. 

Among the scouts sent out during the battles on the 
Potomac, was Dick B., of Ohio. He had seen some perilous 
and thrilling adventures among the rebels, which cannot be 
better told than in his own words. 

" I was out scouting, with three or four others, when we got 
separated, and on turning a bend in the road, I suddenly came 
upon a party of rebel cavalry. They commanded me to halt. 
I replied by firing my revolver at the foremost, and then 
putting spurs to my horse, galloped away ; but the rebels 
were not disposed, so easily, to lose their prey, and they 
followed, all of us going at a break-neck pace, and they firing 
u^jon me as they could get near enough. Presently I per- 
ceived a pathway in the woods, that laid off from the main 
road. Lito this path I turned my horse, as I thought the 
trees would afford me a better chance to escape them and 
their bullets. My horse was fleet and used to brush, and I 
gained on them a httle. I began to think my chance was 
tolerable, when I came to a large tree that had blown down 
directly across my path, and when- 1 attempted to leap it, my 
horse stumbled and fell, throwing me ofi', and before I could 
remount, the rebels were upon me. 



PERILS OF A SCOUT. 16] 

" Surrender !" sliouted a sergeant, " surrender, you d — d 
blue-bellied Yankee, or I'll blow your heart out !" 

And lie pointed liis revolver at me, which motion was 
followed by the rest of the crowd, 

" See here, old covy," said I, " put up your pop-gun, and 
take me prisoner if you like ; but don't murder a fellow in 
that barbarous manner." 

Of course I was a prisoner, and thought it was the better 
part of valor to fall in and trust to chance and strategy to get 
me out. So I was soon in line, and toted up to the rebel 
camp, and brought before the notorious Stonewall. The 
General eyed me about one minute, and then said : 

" Well, sir, they tell me you are a Yankee spy." 

"Whew ! thought I, this is more than I bargained for ; but 
I was determined to put a jolly face on the matter, and I said : 

" Yes, General, that's what they say ; but you rebels are 
such blamed liars, there's no knowing when to believe what 
they say. I thought the Yankees could outlie any other 
nation, but hang me if you fellows can't beat us." 

"Ah," said the General, " you don't seem to have a very 
exalted opinion of your brethren." 

" Why should I have?" said I. " I've lost and suffered a 
good deal in that same Yankee nation." 

That's strano;e" said the General. "Don't the Union 
officers treat their soldiers well ?" 

" They're like all other officers," said I, " good and bad 
among them ; but that's not where the shoe pinches. To 
make a long story short, although I live in Virginia, I was 
favorably disposed to the Union cause, but the beggarly Lin- 
colnites wouldn't believe it ; so they fed their troops on my 
granary and cupboard till I was about ruined, and when I 
wanted pay they told me I was a fool, and said if I was a 
good Union man, I ought to be glad to aid the Government. 
One day one of the officers told me if I would enlist they 
would think better of me, and instead of destroj'ing my 
property, they would protect it. So the upshot of it was, as 

11 



162 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

my loyalty was doubted, I was compelled to enlist to save my 
property." 

" That's a plausible story," said the General, " but not a 
very probable one. Why didn't you come into our lines at 
once if you wanted protection ?" 

" That's just what I'm coming at," said I. I was sent out 
with a scouting party, and so I kept on scouting till I got 
within your lines and was taken by your cavalry." 

" Take care, young man," said the General sternly ; " I 
understand you attempted to escape." 

This was a poser ; but as I had got under way, I thought 
I must try and make the ripple. I felt tolerable streaked 
about the result, too, but I said, earnestly : 

" Of course, I did. Who wouldn't, with a half-dozen 
horses and bullets after him ? I hadn't time to say surrender, 
ancf besides the officer cursed me. I don't like to be cursed, 
it's against my principles ; and then I was so mighty mad to 
see such beastly cowards, that I half made up my mind to get 
away from both sides, and go to Canada." 

The General looked at me and then at his staff, and they 
all smiled, while I looked as sober as a deacon. I had heard 
that the General was a pious old fellow, and I thought this 
would tickle him. 

"Are you willing," said he, to take the oath of allegiance 
to the Southern Confederacy, and fight in our cause?" 

" To be sure," said I ; " I told you before that I had been 
trying to get into your lines. But I don't want to fight for 
you if I am not protected in my rights. I want my property 
respected." 

" Where do you live ?" asked he. 

"At Phillippi," said I, "and I've got a nice property up 
there, and I want it to be taken care of." 

"Well," said the GSneral, "we're going up that way 
shortly, and, whether you go mth us or not, we will protect 
your property. In the meantime I will think of your ofier, 
but for the present, as the evidence is against you, you will be 



PERILS OF A SCOUT. 163 

placed imder guard, for yon Yankees are too slippery to be 
trusted with, too much liberty. Events show that you don't 
know how to use it," 

After this I was kept under guard, and was treated, per- 
haps, as well as they were, and nothing to brag of at that. 
The next day there was a great battle. There was much 
commotion in the rebel camp ; and, for fear that I should be 
recaptured, a guard of two was detailed to take me far back 
to the rear. We could distinctly hear the thundering of the 
cannon, and we knew that a great battle was commenced. I 
overheard the guard chuckling at the idea that they were 
exempt. This put a ilea in my ear. I knew they were 
cowards, and I determined to manage them accordingly. My 
canteen had not been taken from me, and, as luck would have 
it, was half-full of tolerable "rot-gut." I also had in my 
pocket a large powder of morphine, which the surgeon had 
given me a few days before, to take occasionally ; this I 
slipped into the canteen. After this was accomplished, I 
appeared to to take long swigs at the canteen. At last the 
bait took ; the boys got a smell at the whisky, and one of them, 
turning to me, said : 

"Look here, Yankee, that whiskey smells mighty good. 
Let us help you drink it, or you'll be so drunk, soon, that we 
shall have to carry you." 

" All right, boys," said I, " help yourselves." 

They did help themselves. The beggarly rebels soon 
finished the whiskey, morphine and all. 

" It tastes mighty bitter," said one. " What's in it ?" 

" Quinine," said I. " I always put quinine in my whiskey 
this time o' year." 

This satisfied them, and I soon had the satisfaction of see- 
ing my guard tolerably drunk, — too drunk to walk, and so 
they tumbled down, and they did not get up again soon. 
Finding they were getting pretty stupid and sleepy, I shook 
them and said : 



164 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

" See here, guard, tins is a shame. How do you expect to 
guard me, drunk as you are ?" 

" Yes, guard," muttered one. " Your — turn now — you 
guard us. Don't leave — or — by G — d, I'll shoot you when — 
wake up." 

" But hold on," said I ! " how do you expect me to guard 
you when I don't know the password ?" 

By vigorous strokes and punches, I so far routed him that 
he muttered : 

" Kattlesnake !" 

I had no doubt but this was the magical ^^open sesame^^ 
that was to give me my liberty. In five minutes the men 
were sound asleep. The place where we were was a d^ep 
guUey in the woods, and about a mile distant was the rebel 
camp. My purpose was soon fixed. I swapped clothes with 
one, which was considerable trouble, as he was as flimsy as a 
rag ; but I succeeded at last in making the exchange, and had 
the satisfaction of seeing the drunken rebel nicely buttoned 
up in Yankee regimentals. Taking his arms I hurried away 
When I got out through the woods I came into a road, and 
had no sooner done so than I saw a squad of rebel soldiers. 

" Halt !" was the word, which I responded to with soldiery 
precision. 

"What are you doing here?" said the lieutenant com- 
manding. 

I told him that two of us were guarding a prisoner, and 
that my comrade and the prisoner were both so dead drunk I 
could do nothing with them. 

" That's a h — 1 of a story," replied the lieutenant. " I 
believe you're some d — d Yankee spy. I've a mind to clip 
your head oil", on suspicion." And he raised his sword. 

" Let him prove what he says by showing us the men," 
suggested one of the squad. 

At this they all laughed, supposing I was blufted. But 
when I readily assented to this, they followed me, cautiously, 
however, as I suppose they feared I was leading them into 

# 



PERILS OF A SCOITT. 165 

ambusl'. "When tlio Lieutenant saw the men — one in butter- 
nut and one in Yankee blue — as I liacl represented, lie gave 
each a hearty kick and said : 

"Well, this is a h — 1 of a mess. What arc you going to 
do about it?" 

" Going to hunt a wagon and have them carried on," 
said I. 

This was satisfactory, and we parted. Finding it would 
not do to take the road, I skulked around in the woods all 
day. When night came I took, as I supposed, a route that 
would lead me to the Union camp. All night I climbed 
about over the hills ; twice I was hailed by rebel pickets, but 
rattlesnahi carried ne safely by. Just at daylight I discover- 
ed a camp. I could see the tents twinkling through the strip 
of woods before me, and I felt certain it was the Federal 
camp. 

When I had got about half way through the piece of 
woods, I saw something that completely took all the exulta- 
tion of my delivery out of me. Well, I've been in many a 
perilous position. I have had bayonets, bullets and bowies 
rummaging round in the region of my loyal bosom ; but 
never, in all my life, was I so astonished and chagrined — so 
utterly taken down. There, in the bottom of a broad, deep 
ravine, not ten steps from me, lay the two drunken guards ! 
Lord ! this was a pretty fix, to be sure. I had accomplished 
a feat equal to the hero of Mother Goose, who went, 

" Fourteen miles in fifteen days, 
And never looked behind him." 

One of the guard was sitting up, and endeavoring to rouse 
the supposed prisoner ; for he was still too much stupefied to 
recognize the cheat. Perceiving me, he sung out : 

" Say, Bill, this d — d Yankee's too drunk to wake up. 
What's to be done with him ?" Have we been here all night? 
Lord ! what'll the old General say ? Come over here." 
" No," Baid I, feigning his comrade's voice. " We've been 



166 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

drunk here all night, and I'm going to report before he wakes 
np, or they'll have ns in the guard house. You stay aiid 
watch him, while I go." 

"l^o, let's wake the devilish luhber up, and take him 
where we're going to. But blame me if I know where that is. 
Don't go." 

" But I will," said I ; and, hurrying away, I was soon out 
of sight. This day I hid myself in a hollow tree, and, when 
night came, I took a good look at the stars, and, getting my 
bearings, started again for the Union camp. I several times 
came upon the rebel pickets, but the "Rattlesnake" snaked 
me along without any trouble ; all but one, the last one I 
came to. He was a sprightly little fellow, and appeared to be 
determined that I should go with him to headquarters. I 
ofi'ered every excuse I could think of, but it was of no avail, 
so I at last agreed to go, and we started. I went with him 
about half a mile, and, during this time, I engaged him in 
conversation about the affairs of the war, playing the rebel, of 
course, and talking in a jolly way, till, finding him a little 
unguarded, I sprang upon him and took him down, and be- 
fore he knew what was the matter he was unarmed. 

" ITow, you beggarly whelp," said I, as I snatched his gun 
and sprang away from him, " about face, and put, or I'll shoot 
you in a minute." 

The fellow was scared, sure, and lost no time in getting 
out of my sight. It was now beginning to grow light, and I 
found myself on the banks of the Potomac, with the Federal 
camp far in the distance. As there was no other mode of 
conveyance, I was forced to swim the river, which was no easy 
job, considering I had two muskets to carry. However, I 
got safely over, and was just climbing the bank, when a 
musket was leveled at me, and a clear voice rung out : 

" Stand ! who goes there ?" 

This I knew was a Union picket ; so I told him I had been 
taken prisoner, and had escaped ; had been two days without 
eating ; and I wanted him to let me go, or take me at once 



PERILS OF A SCOUT. 167 

into camp, where I could get sometliing to eat, and some dry 
clothes. I had no doubt but he believed this, and would im- 
mediately comply ; but the answer was an ominous click of 
the trigger. 

" I believe you're a real Butternut Kebel," said the picket, 
" and I've a notion to give you a pop, any how." 

" But I ain't," said I. 

" What are you doing with them butternut regimentals on 
then, and them two muskets ?" said he. 

I saw my fix, and hungering, dripping and shivering as I 
was, I stood there before that grinning musket till I had told 
the whole story. Finally upon my giving him the names of 
our colonel and captain, and mentioning several other mat- 
ters familiar to him, he was satisfied, for he belonged to the 
same regiment that I did. 



AFTER THE BxVTTLE— MISSION RIDGE. 

BY BENJAMIN F. TATLOE. 

When a furnace is in blast, the red fountain sparkles and 
plays like a mountain spring, and the rude surroundings 
brighten to the peak of the rough rafters with a strange 
beauty. When the fire is out, and the black and ragged 
masses of dull iron lie dead upon the ground, with a dumb 
and stubborn resistance, who would dream that they ever 
leaped with life and light ? 

A battle and a furnace are alike. It is wonderful how 
dull natures brighten and grow costly in the glow of battle ; 
how the sterling worth and wealth that is in them shines 
out, and the common man stands transfigured, his heart in 
his hand and his feet in the realm of heroic grandeur. But 
ah, when the fire is out and the scarred earth heaped with 



168 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

rigid clay, tlie black mouths of the guns speechless, mighty 
hammers and no hands, the flags furled, the wild hurrah died 
away, and all tlie splendid action of the charge vanished from 
the rugged field like a flash of sunshine, and you wander 
among the dull remainders, the dead embers of the intensest 
life and glow that swept your soul out, only yesterday, and, 
drifted with the skirmish line, you begin to know what these 
words mean, " after the battle," 

It is days since great waves of gallant life dashed against 
Mission Ridge and swept up and over it in surges ; days since 
I tried to tell you how it all looked ; so many days that it is 
even now indurating into history, and yet I feel like taking 
up the story just where I left it, on Wednesday night at sun- 
set, when our flags flapped like eagles' wings, and the wild 
cry of triumph quivered along the mountain. Standing on 
the edge of the field in the moonlight, calm as " God's acre," 
stretches the rough valley that, but an hour before, jarred with 
the rush and whirl of battle. From away bej'ond the Eidge, 
indeed, three miles out to Chickamauga Station, the dropping 
shots from Sheridan's guns faintly punctuate the silence, but 
here, listen as you will, you can hear no sound but the click 
of ambulance wheels, slowly rolling in with their mangled 
burdens ; no sigh, no groan, nothing but the sobbing lapse of 
the Tennessee. I can never tell you with what a warm 
feeling at the heart I looked up and saw the federal fires 
kindling like a new constellation upon Mission Ridge ; they 
were as welcome as dawning day to eyes that have w\atched 
the night out. The old baleful glare from the rebel camp and 
signal light was quenched with something thicker than water, 
and Chattanooga was at peace. 

It is strange that a battle almost always lies between two 
breadths of sleep ; the dreamless slumber into which men 
ahvays fall upon its eve, the calm repose they sink in at its 
end. Night fairly held its breath above the camps ; the wing 
of silence was over them all. Then came Thursday morning, 
bright and beautiful. You go out to the field, and you keep 



AFTER THE BATTLE MISSION RIDGE. 16t 

saying over and over, "after the battle — after the battle." 
IVIen prone upon their faces in death's deep abasement ; here 
one, his head pillowed upon his folded arms ; there one, his 
check pressed ujjon a stone, as was Jacob's at Bethel ; yonder 
one, his fingers stiffened round Lis musket. Xow you pass 
where a butternut and a true blue have gone down together, 
tlie arm of the one flung over the other ; where a young boy 
of fifteen lies face upward, both hands clasped over his heart, 
and the sun has touched the frost that whitened his hair, as if he 
had grown old in a night, and it hangs like tears fresh fallen 
upon his cheeks ; where a lieutenant grasps a bush, as if he 
died vainly feeling for a little hold upon earth and life ; where 
a stained trail leads you to a shelter behind a rock, and there 
a dead captain, who had crept away out of sight and fallen 
asleep ; where rebels and true hearts lie in short winrows, as 
if death had begun the harvest and had wearied of the work. 
And so, through the valley and up the ridge, in every attitude 
lie the unburied dead ; lie just as they fell in the glow of 
battle. And those faces are not as you would think ; hardly 
one distorted with any passion ; almost all white and calm as 
Ben Adhem's dream of peace ; many brightened with some- 
thing like a smile ; a few strangely beautiful. AVounded ones 
that have escaped the moonlight search have lain silently 
waiting for morning without murmur of complaint ; glad they 
are alive, not grieved that they are wounded ; for, " Did we 
not take the Ridge ?" they say. Thus did the old soldierly 
spirit of one flash up like an expiring candle, and go out right 
there on the field as he spoke ; he died with the last word on 
his lips, and " went up higher." 

I said something of taking the backward step and retracing 
the ground made classic by a thousand deeds of valor. It is a 
work beyond the narrow verge of a writer of letters, but while 
abandoning it to more ambitious hands, I cannot deny myself 
the privilege of recording two or three incidents. Colonel 
TViley, of the 41st Ohio, fell terribly wounded at the first line 
of rifle-pits, and General llazen rode up, with the words : " I 



170 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

hope you are not badly wounded." " Do you think we'll 
make it ? " asked the Colonel. " I do, " was the I'eply. 
" That's enough," said the gallant officer, '' I can stand this !" 
And there he lay, bleeding and content, and the tide of the 
battle rolled on. 

What an exhibition of cool courage and gallantry was dis- 
played on that day. Every man a hero and worthy to be 
named with him of Continental memory, " the old fashioned 
colonel," who "galloped through the white infernal powder 
cloud." 

Indeed and indeed, " death loves a shining mark," and the 
roll of officers for whom their comrades say to-day, " dead on 
the field of honor," will lend a splendor to the storj of Mission 
Eidge. Clothed be the 7th Ohio in mourning and glory, that 
lost thirteen of its seventeen officers. Sheridan's division lost 
at Stone River seventy -two ; at Chickamauga ninety-six ; while 
at Mission Eidge one hundred and twenty-two bars, single 
and double, leaves silver and gold, and six spread eagles, lay 
bloody and blent — the total loss in the two divisions of Wood 
and Sheridan alone being twenty-three hundred and forty-four. 

They cried in the white heat of Wednesday afternoon, 
" The rebels mask their batteries ! They converge their fire !" 
and yet, taking our divisions through and through, the dread- 
ful rain fell as evenly as if it had been shed by the clouds of 
heaven. 

Spots all along that rough and terrible mountain route are 
waiting some poet's breath to blossom with flowers immortal. 
Here, by this gray rock, lay the soldier, one shoulder shattered 
like a piece of potter's clay, and thus urged two comrades who 
had halted to bear him to the rear : " Don't stop for me — I'm 
of no account — for God's sake, push right up with the boys !" 
and on they went and left him weltering in his bloody vest- 
ment. Do you talk of your royal purple and your Tyi'ian 
dyes ? Besides that hero lying there, those tints grow dull as 
gray November. Hard by that little oak. Colonel Harker, 
crawling up the hill, saw two brothers, one wounded unto 



AFTER THE B A T T L E— M I S S I O N KIDGE. 171 

death, tLe otlier bending over liim. The Colonel not s-eeing 
the Mien man, ordered the other to move on. '" But this is 
my brother," he pleadingly said. The poor stricken fellow on 
the ground rallied an instant : " Yes, that's right, George ; go 
on, go on!" George turned a piteous look upon his dying 
brother, grasped his musket and clambered on. And that 
was his last farewell, for, the summit reached, he hastened 
back, and there, beside the little oak, the soldier hty in that 
sleep without a dream. Between the first and second ranges 
of rebel works, right in the flush of the charge, a captain fell, 
and two men came to his aid. " Don't wait here," he said ; 
" go back to your company ; one useless man is enough ; 
don't make it three." Just then a cheer floated down the 
mountain, as they took the rifle-pit. " Don't you hear that ?" 
he cried, "march!" and away they went. Such incidents as 
these strew all the way from base to crest ; happening in an 
instant, lost and forgotten in a whirlwind ; worthy, every one, 
of them, of a place in loyal hearts. With such a spirit 
inspiring rank and file — a spirit as lofty as the Alpine traveler 
breathed, whose burden, as he went, was still " Excelsior" — 
who can wonder that Mission E.idge was carried in a Novem- 
ber afternoon ? As I think of it all, I seem to have the poet's 
quickened ear, and to me, standing in the valley below, from 
hundreds of lips now white and still, a voice flows down tlie 
Ridge's side in grand accord — 

"A voice comes like a falling star, 
Excelsior!" 




172 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

LIFE IIST CAMP. 

LOYA-L TENNESSEEANS. 

Pakson Brownlow has given ns many vivid pictures of 
the trials and sufferings of the loyalists in East Tennessee, 
which subsequent events have more than confirraed. They, 
better than any other people, knov^ what it costs to be true to 
the old flag and government. Persecuted, the country de- 
vastated, and they hunted like v.'ild beasts to the caves in the 
mountains, there they eke out a miserable existence until op- 
portunities offer them a chance to escape to the armies 
of the Union, to which they flock by tens and fiftys, offering 
their sturdy blows and stout hearts for the old flag. A 
strange-looking party came in one day, one hundred and fifty 
strong, attired in butternut and shirt sleeves, mounted upon 
horses of every tint and action, from blue to calico and from 
a limp to a lope. Rosinante was there and the steed of 
Dr. Syntax, and so, for that matter, were Sancho Panza and 
" the knight of the sorrowful countenance." Equipped with 
flint-locks, squirrel guns, and the old Queen's arm, they looked 
as if they had ridden right out of a dead-and-gone age, bravely 
down into our own. They proved to be men from East and 
Middle Tennessee, who had traveled, like the nomades, a long 
lourney by night to " fall in " to the Federal line. 

"a HAED EOAD to TRAVEL," 

The following is a description of the road by which the 
Army of the Cumberland has communication with the North : 

A very few days will see the bridges completed at Bridge- 
port and Running Water, and the cars running within four- 
teen miles of Chattanooga. The importance of this can hardly 
be appreciated by anybody who has not hammered his way 
over the mountains. The bridge over the ravine, at Eunnirig 



LIFE IN CAMP, 173 

"Water, must be ciglit Imnclrcd feet in length, and swung np 
one hundred and twenty-liv^e feet in mid-air. Take the Nash- 
ville and Chattanooga road throughout, and no route in the 
land will impress you more deeply with the triumph of dogged 
perseverance. Literally carved through rock for scores of 
miles, Z-ing its way through the stubbornest of Nature's 
moods, plunging straight into the gloomy heart of the moun- 
tains, trellised up from ridge to ridge across the Tennessee, 
and working its way down among the everlasting shadows. 
But battered, broken, worn out, its dilapidated Cars pound 
their way down, swinging, bounding, creaking along the 
ragged rails, fairly shaking the screws out of the ponderous 
dice-boxes. To go to Charleston is a frolic, but to go to 
Chattanooga is sober earnest. To illustrate at once the straits 
and the energy of the rebels, I may record a little fact. Along 
portions of the track between Bridgei^ort and Chattanooga 
over which I walked, plank had been spiked upon the ties, 
making a wide road whereon their army wagons were driven, 
and the thick double rows of beans and corn growing along 
tlie rails are as good as a bill of lading as to the freight they 
carried. 

ARMY CIIAPLAmS. 

Estimates differ concerning the value of the services ren- 
dered by our army chaplains. Here are some sensible observa- 
tions on the subject : 

But how about the chaplains ? yon ask, and though an 
ungrateful business, I will be frank to tell you. I have met 
three dozen men whose symbol is the cross, and of that 
number two should have been in the ranks, two in the rear, 
one keeping the temperance pledge, one obeying the third 
commandment — to be brief about it, five repenting and eight 
getting common sense. The rest were efficient, faithful men. 
Not one chaplain in fifty, perhaps, lacks the paving stones 
of good intentions, but the complex complaint that carries off 
the greatest number is ignorance of human nature and want 



174 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

of common sense. Four cardinal questions, I think, will 
exhaust the qualifications for a chaplaincy. Is he religiously 
fit ? Is he physically fit ? Is he acquainted with the animal 
" man ?" Does he possess honest horse sense ? Let me give 
two or three illustrative pictures from life :— Chaplain A. has 
2t, imUeT'ing demon; he is forever not letting things alone. 
Passing a group of boys he hears one oath, stops short in his 
boots, hurls a commandment at the author, hears another and 
reproves.it, receives a whole volley, and retreats pained and 
discomfited. ■ Now, Mr. A. is a good man, anxious to do duty, 
but that habit of his, that darting about camp like a " devil's 
darning needle" with a stereotype reproof in his eye and a 
pellet of rebuke on the tip of his tongue, bolts every heart 
against him. Chaplain B. preaches a sermon — regular army 
fare, too — on Sundny, buttons his coat up snuggly under his 
chin all the other days of the week, draws a thousand dollars, 
and is content. Chaplain C. never forgets that he is C. " with 
the rank of captain," perfumes like a civet cat, never saw the 
inside of a dog's tent, never quite considered the rank and file 
fellow-beings. Of the three, the boys hate the first, despise 
the second, and d — arn the third. 

A BATTLE PICTTJEE — CniCKAMATJGA. 

The rebel forces from the East fought with a gallantry 
allied to desperation, and I do not wonder that our boys were 
proud to say, wdien asked to whom tliey were opposed, " Long- 
street's men." The rebel fashion of coming out to battle is 
peculiar. Llad you seen them streaming out of the woods in 
long, gray lines to the open field, you could have likened them 
to nothing better than to streams of turbid water pouring 
through a sieve. And writing of valor, let me say that the 
diiference among regiments consists not more in the material 
of the rank and file than it does in the coolness, judgment and 
bravery of the officers, and the faith the soldiers repose in 
them. That faith has a magic in it that tones men up and 



LIFE IN CAMP. 175 

makes more and nobler men of tliem than there was before. 
It is the principle recognized by the great Frederick when he 
addressed his general : — " I send you against the enemy with 
sixty thousand men." " But, sire," said the officer, " there are 
only fifty thousand." "Ah, I counted you as ten thousand," 
was the monarch's wise and quick reply. I have a splendid 
illustration of this in an incident which occurred on Sunday, 
at Chickamauga. It was near four o'clock on that blazing 
afternoon, when a part of General Steedman's division of the 
Keserve Corps bowed their heads to the hurtling storm of lead, 
as if it had been rain, and betrayed signs of breaking. The 
line wavered like a great flag in a breath of wind. They were 
as splendid material as ever shouldered a musket, but then 
what, could they do in such a blinding tempest ? General 
Steedman rode up. A great, hearty man, broad-breasted, 
broad-shouldered, a face written all over with sturdy sense 
and courage ; no lady's man to make bouquets for snowy 
fingers, and sing : " Meet me by moonlight alone," like some 
generals I could name, but realizing the ideal of my boyhood 
when I read of the stout old Morgan of the Revolution. 
Well, up rode Steedman, took the flag from the color bearer, 
glanced along the wavering front, and with that voice of his 
that could talk against a small rattle of musketrj^, cried out, 
" Go back, boys, go back, but the flag can't go with you !" — 
grasped the stafl^", wheeled his horse and rode on. Must I tell 
you that the column closed up and grew firm, and moved 
resistlessly on like a great strong river, and swept down upon 
the foe and made a record that shall live when their graves 
are as empty as the cave of Macpelah ! 

now CHATTANOOGA LOOKS. 

Chattanooga must have been a pleasant little town "in 
the piping times of peace." Nestled among the mountains, 
beside a loop in the Tennessee, embayed in the grandest of 
scenery, the battlements of "Lookout," its gray masonry 



176 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

alternating witli the green of its oaks and the deeper shadows 
of its cedars, hfting niajesticallj ahnost within long rifle 
range ; Missionary Ridge, less ambitious but not less pic- 
turesque, within three flights of the shafts of Robin Hood 
and his merry men; the truant Tennessee, loitering along, 
flowing south, flowing west, flowing north ; the genial air, the 
generous earth ; all must have rendered it a delightful nook 
in this noisy world. From the summit of Lookout Mountain 
a glorious landscape unrolls ; you can look upon Tennessee, 
Georgia, Alabama ; you can see the dim looming of the Blue 
Ridge and Bald Peak, and the smoky ranges of the " Old 
!North State," the shadow of whose King's Mountain is sacred 
for all time, since out of it came the first whisper for inde- 
pendence, which, deepening and strengthening, at last broke 
out aloud around the British throne ; I am not sure you can- 
not see the misty hills of the " Palmetto State" from that lofty 
look-out. 



THE WOUNDED AFTER A BATTLE. 

The surgeon laid off the sash and the tinseled coat, and 
rolled up his sleeves, spread wide his cases filled up with 
the terrible glitter of silver steel, and makes ready for work. 
They begin to come in, slowly at first, one man nm'sing a 
shattered arm, another borne by his comrades, three in an am- 
bulance, one on a stretcher — then faster and faster, lying here, 
lying there, each waiting his terrible turn. The silver steel 
grows cloudy and Inrid ; true right arms are lopped like slips 
of golden willow ; feet tliat never turned from the foe, forever 
more without an owner, strew the ground. The knives are 
busy, the saws play ; it is bloody work. Ah, the surgeon with 
heart and head, with hand and eye fit for such a place, is a 
prince among men ; cool and calm, quick and tender, he feels 
among the arteries, and fingers the tendons as if they were 



THE WOUNDED AFTEK A BATTLE. ITT 

harp-strings. But the cloud thunders and the spiteful rain pat- 
ters louder and iiercer, and the poor fellows come creeping up in 
broken ranks like corn beaten down with the flails of the storm. 

" My God !" cried the surgeon, as looking up an instant 
from his work, he saw the mutilated crowds borne in ; " my 
God ! are all my brave boys cut down !" And yet it thundered 
and rained. A poor fellow writhes, and a smothered moan 
escapes him. 

" Be quiet, Jack," says the surgeon, cheerfully ; " I'll make 
you all right in a minute." It was a right arm to come off at 
the elbow, and " Jack" slipped off a ring that clasped one of 
the poor, useless fingers that were to blend with the earth of 
Alabama, and put it in his pocket. lie was making ready for 
the "all right." Does "Alabama" mean "here we rest?" If 
so, how sad yet glorious have our boys made it, who sink to 
rest — 

"With all their country's wishes blest!" 

Another sits up while the surgeon follows the bullet that 
had buried itself in his side ; it is the work of an instant ; no 
solemn council here — no lingering pause ; the surgeon is 
bathed in patriot blood to his elbows, and the work goes on. 
An eye lies out upon a ghastly cheek, and silently the sufferer 
bides his time. 

" Well, Charley," says the doctor, dressing a wound as he 
talks, "what's the matter?" "Oh, not much, doctor; only a 
hand off!" IS^ot unhke was the answer made to me by a poor 
fellow at Bridgeport, shattered as if by lightning: 

"How are you novv^?" I said. '■'' Bully !''' was the reply. 
Tou should have heard that word as he said it ; vulgar as it 
used to seem, it grew manly and noble, and I shall never hear 
it again without a thought for the boy that uttered it, on the 
dusty slope of the Tennessee ; the boy — must I say it ? — that 
sleeps the soldier's sleep within a hundred rods of the spot 
where I found him. 

So it is everywhere ; not a whimper nor complaint. Once 
only did I hear either. An Illinois lieutenant, as brave a 

12 



178 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

fellow as ever drew a sword, had been shot tlirongli and 
tliroiigli the thighs, fairly impaled by the bullet — the ugliest 
wound I ever saw. Eight days before he weighed one hun- 
dred and sixty. Then he could not have swung one hundred 
and twenty clear on the floor. He had just been brought 
over the mountains ; his wounds were angry with fever ; every 
motion was torture ; they were lifting him as tenderly as they 
could ; they let him slip, and he fell, perhaps six inches. But 
it was lihe a dash from a precipice to him, and he wailed out 
like a young child, tears wet his thin, pale cheeks ; but he 
only said : " My poor child ! how can they tell her ?" It was 
but for an instant ; his spirit and his frame stiffened up 
together, and v/ith a half-smile he said, ''' don't tell anybody, 
boys, that I made a fool of myself" The lieutenant sleeps 
well, and alas! for the "poor child" — how did they tell her? 
A soldier fairly riddled with bullets, like one of those 
battle-flags of Illinois, lay on a blanket gasping for breath. 
" Jimmy," said a comrade, and a friend before this cruel war 
began, with one arm swung up in a sling, and who was going 
home on furlough, " Jemmy, what shall I tell them at home 
for you 'T " Tell them," said he, " that there isn't hardly 
enough of me to say ' I,' but, hold down here a minute ; say 
to Kate that there is enough of me left to love her till I die." 
J emmy got his furlough that night, and left the ranks forever. 



CHICKAMAUGA BATTLE-FIELD. 

The rebel editor of the Atlanta Intelligencer visits the 
battle-field of Chickamauga. He gives us this sketch : — 

We leave the Chattanooga road and turn to the right. 
"We ride along the avenue, and on every side, thickly strewn, 
are the marks of. the sharpshooters' skill, and the terrible 
effects of shell and grape from the masked battery. The loss 
was not alone, however, with us, but the foe also met his fate. 



CHICKAMAUGA BATTLE-FIELD. 179 

He lias left the dreadful evidence of many dead bodies. In 
the woods near the upper end of this opening, we saw one 
of the blue-habited dead, sitting with his back against a log, 
his anus on his knees and his fingers dovetailed together. 
Apparently he had sat down deliberately to die. The 
worms were feasting on him. His jaw was hanging down ; 
his black and glistening body, which had swollen until it burst 
oif his clothing, was one of the most horrible and disagreeable 
sights we ever witnessed. Close by, another man crawled 
upon a log, and placing his back against a bush, and resting 
his head on his hand, the elbow bent, the body in a reclining 
position, he had pulled his cap over his eyes and given up his 
spirit from the battle-field. At the back part of the field, 
sweeping eastward and south of east, was a large and destruc- 
tive battery. The worn places where each gun was placed 
indicate that ten or more guns were in battery there. The 
dead horses and Yankees lying about tell how vengeful the 
assault was, and how successful. But from the hill where this 
battery cast its storm and rain of shot and shell, and canister 
and grape, the evidences of a terrific fire are more apparent 
here than anywhere else on the field. The woods are very 
thick in trees and bushes, and the limbs, trunks and branches, 
as they lie cut oif and torn in all directions, made an abattis 
through which our forces rushed and charged to silence the 
loud throated voices of those death dealing engines. We pass 
through the path of the artillery storm, and here and there are 
the graves of our soldiers. On the second hill, with trees and 
limbs lying thick about, evidences of the terrible passion of 
man, the graves of many brave Texans, the Twenty-fourth 
and others, rest calmly marked by the careful hands of friends ; . 
back of these are a number of Georgians. Thence we turn to 
the left and follow the Savannah road. At intervals the open 
woods show signs of the conflict being more severe than in the 
thickly wooded spots. It is along here, we are told, General 
Hood and his men made such terrible onset and slaughter. 
They and the portion of our army which advanced from the 



180 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

Hed House, and along the road to tlie right of the saw mill, 
did execution which is perfectly fearful. The carnage was 
awful — every avenue had been swept as by a broad besom o*f 
destruction in the hands of Hecate. Battery paths are in- 
numerable. Here they fought — there they retreated — leaving 
dead horses, men, broken caissons, piles of ammunition, rent 
clothes, and destruction generally. On one point on the rise 
of a hill we saw the bod}' of an immense JSTewfoundland dog. 
He evidently was the pet of some battery, and was shot while 
following it up. Close by him we counted thirty-eight dead 
Yankees, nearly thirty dead horses, saw more than a tun of 
shell, shot and canister, and all the broken and abandoned 
paraphernalia of a strong battery, all within the space of 
eighty feet square. 



ATTITUDES OF THE SLAIN. 

A PROMINENT officer attached to the ambulance corps 
of the French army in Italy, Dr. Armand, has published 
the result of some curious and interesting observations made 
by himself and others upon the battle-fields of the late 
!Napoleon, in war with Austria. The positions which the 
bodies of tlie slain assume, under the effect of mortal wounds 
produced by different missiles of death, and the effect of such 
wound^", m various parts of the body upon the general attitude, 
were the subjects of the somewhat novel investigation, which 
might have been pursued on a grand scale in this country for 
the past two years. 

In a number of cases the dead soldier was found almost in 
the speaking attitude of life. A Hungarian hussar, killed at 
the same moment with his horse, was only slightly moved in 
Ms saddle, and sat there dead, holding the point of his sabre 
in advance, in the position of charging. A parallel case oc- 
curred on the death of an Austrian artillerymen. Those 



ATTITUDES OF THE SLAIN. 181 

wounded in the liead, it was remarked, generally fell with the 
fKce and abdomen flat to the ground. Wounds in the chest 
and heart produced a like posture of the body, though in the 
latter cases modiiications of the position and exjjression more 
frequently took place iVfhn in the former. A Zouave struck 
full in the chest was " doubled upon his musket, as if taking a 
position to charge bayonet, his face full of energy, with an 
attitude more menacing than that of a lion." 

In wounds of the abdomen the agony seemed to have been 
prolonged ; the fa(;e was contracted, the body doubled upon 
itself and lying partially upon the side. 

But the report of Dr. Armand, after all, contains no case so 
remarkable as two which have been observed upon one of our 
own battle-fields — that of Shiloh. On that bloody field, when 
the carnage was over, a soldier was found standing, his legs 
somewhat spread apart, and his arms thrown convulsively 
outward ; his posture, that of a living man, agitated perhaps 
by a strong emotion ; he was nevertheless, stone-dead, a 
ghastly monument of seeming life alongside the hetacomb of 
fallen corpses. Another body lay partially prostrated on one 
side, the right holding to the mouth a piece of cheese, which 
the set teeth were almost in the act of grasping. Lying upon 
the -back, with the arms extended, and the knees drawn up 
toward the face, was a posture frequently to be observed, on 
this as well as other fields. Other observations would be of 
interest, if described ; but the living attitude of the dead sol- 
dier, still standing upon his feet, and the grim mockery of life 
in the apparent taking of food must remain unexampled in all 
recorded incidents of war. The facts are derived from an 
officer who witnessed the unusual spectacle. 

TVe are not aware of any valuable result which has fol- 
lowed the observations of the French or our own ambulance 
corps in this direction, sufficient to induce our army surgeons 
to devote valuable time to the same study, but doubtless 
many pages of curious if not instructive matter might be 
made up in this ghastly field of inquiry. 



182 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 



ANECDOTE OF LIEUT. GEN". GEAFT. 

The following is told by an officer of General Grant's staff: 

The liero and veteran, who was citizen, captain, colonel, 
brigadier and major-general witliin a space of nine months, 
tliougli a rigid disciplinarian, and a perfect Ironsides in the 
discharge of .his official duties, could enjoy a good joke, and is 
always ready to perpetrate one when an opportunity presents. 
Indeed, among his acquaintances, he is as much renowned for 
his eccentric humor as he is for his skill and bravery as a com- 
mander. 

When Grant was a brigadier in South-east Missouri, he 
commanded an expedition against the rebels under Jefferson 
Thompson, in ]^orth-east Arkansas. The distance from the 
starting-point of the expedition to the supposed rendezvous of 
the rebels was about one hundred and ten miles, and the 
gi'eater portion of the route lay through a howling wilderness. 
The imaghiary suffering that our soldiers endured during the 
first two days of their march was enormous. It was impossible 
to steal or " conliscate" uncultivated real estate, and not a hog, 
or a chicken, or an ear of corn was anywhere to be seen. On 
the third day, however, affairs looked more hopeful, for a few 
small specks of ground, in a state of partial cultivation, were 
here and there visible. On that day Lieutenant Wickfield, of 
an Indiana cavalry regiment, commanded the advance-guard, , 
consisting of eight mounted men. About noon he came up to 
a small faim-house, from the outward appearance of which he 
judged that there might bo something fit to eat inside. He 
halted his company, dismounted, and, with two second lieu- 
tenants entered the dwelling. He knew that Grant's incipient 
fame had already gone out through all that country, and it 
occurred to him that by representing himself to be the General 
he might obtain the best the house afforded. So, assuming a 
very imperative demeanor, he accosted the inmates of the 



ANECDOTE OF LIEUT. GEN. GRANT. 183 

house, and told tliem lie must have something for hnnself and 
staff to eat. Thej desired to know who he was, and he told 
them that he was Brigadier-General Grant. At the sound of 
that name they flew around with alarming alacrity, and 
served up about all they had in the house, taking great pains 
all the wliile to make loud professions of loyalty. The lieu- 
tenants ate as much as they could of the not over sumptuous 
meal, but which was, nevertheless, good for that country, and 
demanded what was to pay. "Nothing." And they went 
on their way rejoicing. 

In the meantime General Grant, who had halted his army 
a few miles further back for a brief resting spell, came in 
sight of, and was rather favorably impressed with, the appear- 
ance of this same house. Riding up to the fence in front of 
the door, he desired to know if they would cook him a meal. 

" No," said a female, in a gruff voice ; " General Grant 
and his staff have just been here and eaten every thing in the 
house except one pumpkin pie." 

" Humph," murmured Grant ; " what is yom' name ?" 

" Selvidge," replied the woman. 

Casting a half-dollar in at the door, he asked if she would 
keep that pie till he sent an officer for it, to which she replied 
that she would. 

That evening, after the camping-ground had been selected, 
the various regiments were notified that there would be a 
grand parade at half-past six, for orders. Officers would see 
that their men all turned out, etc. 

In live minutes the camp was in a perfect uproar, and 
filled with all sorts of rumors ; some thought the enemy were 
upon them, it being so unusual to have parades when on a 
march. 

At half-past six the parade was formed, ten columns deep, 
and nearly a cpiarter of a mile in length. 

After the usual routine of ceremonies the Acting Assistant 
Adjutant-General read the following order: — 



184 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC, 

Headquarters, Army in the Fieli>. 
Special Order, No. — . 

Lieutenant "Wickfield, of the Indiana cavalry, having 

on this day eaten everything in Mrs, Selvidge's house, at the 
crossing of the Ironton and Pocahontas and Black Kiver and 
Cape Girardeau roads, except one pumpkin pie, Lieutenant 
Wickiieid is hereby ordered to return with an escort of one 
hundred cavalry and eat that pie also. 

U. S. Geant, 
Brig.- Gen. Commanding. 

Grant's orders were law, and no soldier ever attempted to 
evade them. At seven o'clock the lieutenant filed out of 
camp, with his hundred men, amid the cheers of the entire 
army. The escort concurred in stating that he devoured the 
whole of the pie, and seemed to relish it. 



CIKCUMSTANCES ALTEE CASES. 

A certain wealthy old planter, who used to govern a pre- 
cinct in Alabama, in a recent skirmish was taken prisoner, 
and at a late hour brought into camp, where a guard v\'as 
placed over him. The aristocratic rebel, supposing everything 
was all right — that he was secure enough any way as a 
prisoner of war — as a committee of the whole, resolved him- 
self into " sleep's dead slumber." Awakening about midnight, 
to find the moon shining full in his face, he chanced to " in- 
spect his guard," when, horror of horrors that soldier was a 
negro ! And, worse than all, he recognized in that towering 
form, slowly and steadily walking a beat, one of his own 
slaves ! Human nature could not stand that ; the prisoner 
was enraged, furious, and swore he would not. Addi'essing\ 



CIKCUM STANCES ALTEK CASES. 185 

the guard, tlirougli clencliecl teetli, foaming at the mouth, he 
yelled out : — 

"Sambo !" 

"Veil, massa." 

" Send for the colonel to come here immediately. My 
own slave can never stand guard over me ; it's a d — d out- 
ra,ge ; no gentleman would submit to it," 

Laughing in his sleeve, the dark-faced soldier promptly 
called out, " corp'l de guard." That dignitary appeared, and 
presently the colonel followed. After listening to the south- 
erner's impassioned harangue, which was full of invectives, 
the colonel turned to the negro with, 

" Sam !" 

" Yes, colonel." 

" You know this gentleman, do you ?" **» 

" Ob course ; he's Massa B., and has big plantation in 
Alabama." 

" Well, Sam, just take care of him to-night !" and the 
officer walked away. As the sentinel again paced his beat, 
the gentleman from Alabama appealed to him in an argu- 
ment. 

" Listen, Sambo !" 

"You hush, dar; it's done gone talkin' to you now. 
Hush, rebel !" was the negro's emphatic command, bringing 
dov/n his musket to a charge bayonet position, by way of 
enforcing silence. The nabob was now a slave — his once 
valued negro his master; and think you as,he sank back upon 
a blanket, in horror and shame that night, that he believed 
human bondage was a divine institution, ordained of God ? 



186 ANECDOTESj INCIDENTS, ETC, 



THE COXTKABAND'S PRAYEE.. 

The following is an extract from a prayer made by an old 
contraband at a funeral in rebeldom, and was delivered in the 
presence of many of the Union soldiers : — 

" Masser Jew of Jews, like de people ob de ole time, de 
Jews, we weep by de side of de ribber, wid de strings ob de 
harp all broke. But we sing de song ob de broken heart, as 
deni people couldn't do. Hear us, King, in de present time ob 
our sorrow. Yon know, King, Honey, we jess got froo de 
Red Sea and wander in the dark wilderness, a poor, feeble, 
broken portion ob de children ob Adam — feeble in body, 
feeble in health, feeble in mind, and needs de help ob de good, 
mighty God. Oh, help ns, ef you please, to homes, for we's 
got no homes, Masser, but de shelter ob de oak tree in de day- 
time, and de cotton tent at night. Great Doctor ob doctors, 
King ob Kings, and God ob battles, help us to be well. Help 
us to be able to fight wid de Union sojers de battles for de 
Union. Help us to fight for liberty — fight for de country — 
fight for our own homes and for to free our children and our 
children's children. Fetch out, God ob battles, de big guns, 
wdd de big balls, and de big, bustin' shells, gib dem God-for- 
saken secesh, dat would carry to shame our wibes an darters, 
ef you please, a right smart double charge of grape and canis- 
ter. Make 'em glad to stop de war and come back to shoes 
and de fatted calf, and all de good things ob de Union — no 
more murderin' brudders ob de !Norf States — no more ragged 
and barefoot — no more slave whippers and slave sellers — no 
more faders ob yaller-skins — no more meaner as meanest 
niggers." ' 



A REBEL OFFICEk's STOBY. 1S7 



. A EEBEL OFFICEE'S STOEY. 

At Powell's river I stopped and engaged more milk of an 
old Lincolnite jade, keen as a brier, and mother of three (and 
I don't know liow many more) rather nice looking gals. She 
complained to me of having been rudely treated by a North 
Carolina officer the morning previous. Arriving at camp I 
informed the officer of the old lady's story, and he told me 
that, knowing their political status, he had placed a guard 
around the house, to keep any of the family from going to the 
Gap, while our army (rebel) was dfossing the river, and that, 
in the meantime, the following conversation took place : — 

Officer. — (Entering the house.) " Good morning, ma'am," 
'No answer. " Where is your husband, ma'am ?" 

Old Woman. — " None of your business, you rebel you." 

Officer. — I know, lie is in the Yankee army." 

Old Woman. — " AYell he is. What are you going to do 
about it ? He is in the First Tennessee Federal Eegiment at 
Cumberland Gap, and will take off your rebel head if you go 
up there." 

Officer. — " Yes. But we have him and your General 
Morgan's whole command completely surrounded — hemmed 
in — with an army on both sides of the Gap, and in a few daj'S 
they will be starved out, and have to surrender upon our own 
terms." 

Old Woman. — " We know all that, and are easy. But 
Lincoln will send an army through Kentucky, which will 
wipe out your General Smith, just like a dog would lick out a 
plate, and then you and your army of barefooted, roasting-ear 
stealers will have to leave here in the dark again, and badly 
scared at that. Besides this — " 

Officer, — " That's your opinion, but you are deluded. 
WTiere were you born ?" 



188 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

Old Woman. — " Born ! Wliy I was bom and raised iu 
Tennessee. I am an Old Hickory Tennesseean — dead out 
against Kiillification, and its ofi'spring, Secession. But wliere 
are yon from ?" 

Officer. — "I am from IlTortli Carolina, but a native of 
Soutli Carolina." 

Old Woman. — "A Soutli Carolinian pupil of Calhoun — - 
double rebel, double devil. Old Jackson made your little 
turnip patcli of a State walk tlie chalk once, and Old Abe 
Lincoln will give you rebels brimstone before spring." 

Officer. — (Quitting the old lady and turning to the eldest 
daughter, whom he recognized as a mother.) " Madam, where 
is your husband ?" « 

Young Woman. — " That is none of your business, sir." 

Officer. — " But it is my business. Where is he?" 

Young Woman. — "Where I hope I'll never see him again. 
Where I hoj^e yon'll soon be." 

Officer.—" Where is that ?" 

Young Woman. — " Why, a prisoner in the hands of the 
army at the Gap." 

Officer.—" What is that for ?" 

Young Woman. — " For being what you are, an infernal 
rebel." 

Officer. — " Oil, if that's all, I will send him back to yon as 
soon as we take the Gap." 

Young Woman. — " No, you needn't. He need never darken 
my door again. Here, Bet, (calling a nurse,) take this little 
rebel and give him Union milk. Let us try and get the 
' Secesh' out of him." 

Officer. — (Turning to a Miss.) " Did yon find a beau 
among the Yankee otlicers ?" 

Miss. — " Yes, I did ; a nice, sweet, gallant fellow ; one 
who stepped like a prince. When you become his prisoner, 
give him my love ; and tell him for my sake to put a trace 
chain around your secesh neck." 

Officer. — " When do you expect to see hun again ?" 



A TOUCHING INCIDENT, 1S9 

IMiss. — " Just after your general takes tlie next ' big scare,' 
which "will be in ten clays from this time." 

Dayliglit having broken, and tlie army having crossed the 
river, the conversation I have given terminated. 



A TOUCHING Il^CIDENT. 

An officer, just returned from the south-west, relates a 
touching incident of the loyalty and tendency of many of the 
inhabitants of that nominally sec»sh land. After the battle 
of Bean Station, the rebels were guilty of all manner of in- 
dignity toward the slain. They stripped their bodies, and 
shot persons who came near the battle-field to show any at- 
tention to the dead. The body of a drummer boy was left 
naked and exposed. ISTear by, in an humble house, were two 
little girls, the eldest but sixteen, who resolved to give the boy 
a decent burial. They took the night for their task. "With 
hammer and nails in hand, and boards on their shoulders, 
they souglit the place where the body of the dead drummer 
boy lay. From their own scanty wardrobe, they clothed the 
body for the grave. With their own hands they made a 
rude cofhn, in which they reverently put the dead boy. 
They dug the grave and lowered the body into it and covered 
it over. The noise of the hammering brought some of the 
rebels to the spot. Not a word was spoken, no one inter- 
fered, and when the sacred rites of the burial were performed, 
all separated, and the little drummer boy sleeps undisturbed 
in his grave on the battle-field. Such tenderness and heroism 
deserve to run along the line of coming generations Avith the 
story of the woman who broke the alabaster box on the feet 
of the Savior, and with her who of her penury cast her two 
mites into the treasury. 



190 ANECDOTES, INCDENTS, ETC 



JENNY WADE, THE IIEEOmE OF GETTYSBUKG 

The country lias already heard of Jolm Burns, the hero of 
Gettysburg — of how the old man sallied forth a. host within 
himself, " to fight on lj4fe own hook," and how he fell wounded 
after having delivered many shots from his trusty rifle into 
the faces and the hearts of his country's foes. John Burns' 
name is already recorded among the immortal, to live there 
while American valor and patriotism have an admirer and 
emulator. But there was a heroine as well as hero of Gettys- 
burg. The old man hero. Burns, still lives — the heroine, 
sweet Jenny Wade, perif^lied in the din of that awful fray, and 
she now sleej^s where the flowers once bloomed, and the per- 
fumed-laden air wafted lovingly over Cemetery Ililh 

Before the battle, and while the national hosts were await- 
ing the assaults of the traitor, foe, Jenny Wade was busily 
engaged in baking bread for the national troops. She occu- 
pied a house in range of the guns of both armies, and the 
rebels had sternly ordered her to leave the premises, but this 
she as sternly refused to do. While she was busily engaged 
in her patriotic work, a minie ball pierced her pure heart, and 
she fell a holy sacrifice in her country's cause. Almost at the 
same time a rebel officer of high rank fell near where Jenny 
Wade had perished. The rebels at once proceeded to prepare 
a coflin for their fallen leader, but about tlie time that was 
finished the surging of the conflict changed the position of the 
armies, and Jenny Wade's body was placed in the coflin 
designed for her country's enemy ; thus the heroine of 
Gettysburg was buried. The incidents of the hero and the 
heroine of Gettysburg are beautifidly touching, noble and 
sublime. 

Old John Burns was the only man of Gettysburg who 
participated in tlie struggle to save the North from invasion, 
while innocent Jenny Wade was the only sacriflee which the 
people of that locality had to oflfer on the shrine of their 



A B I N O U L A K S P K C T A O L E IN B A T T I> E . 191 

country ! Let a monument be erected on tlic ground ^vliich 
covers her, before which the pilgrims to the holy tombs of the 
heroes of Gettysburg can bow and bless the memory of Jenny 
Wade. If the people of Gettysburg are not able alone to 
raise the funds to pay for a suitable monument lor Joniiy 
Wade, let them send a committee to Ilarrisbui-g, and our little 
boys and girls will assist in solic-Jting subscriptions for this holy 
purpose. Before the sunnner sunshine again kisses the grave 
of Jenny Wade, before the summer birds once more carol 
where she sleeps in glory, before the flowers again deck the 
plain made famous ty gallant deeds, let a monument rise to 
greet the skies in token of her virtue, daring and nobleness. 



A SINGULAE SPECTACLE IN BATTLE. 

In the battle of Stono River, while the men were all be- 
hind a crest waiting, a brace of frantic wild turkeys, so 
paralyzred with fright that they were incapable of flying, ran 
between the lines and endeavored to liide among the men. 
But the frenzy among the turkeys was not so touching as the 
exquisite fright of the birds and rabljits. When the roar of 
battle reached through the cedar thickets, flocks of little l>irds 
fluttered and circled above the fleld in a state of utter bewil- 
derment, and scores of rabbits fled for protection to our men, 
lying down in line on the left, nestling under their coats, and 
creeping under their legs in a state of utter distraction. They 
hopped oyer the fleld like toads, and as perfectly tamed by 
fright as household pets. Many ofiicers witnessed it, remark- 
ing it as one of the most curious spectacles ever seen upon a 
battle-field. 



192 AISTECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

GEK ROUSSEAU AND THE EEBELS. 

A Southerner came to Gen. Eonsseau, and requested per- 
mission to go beyond the Federal lines and visit his wife. He 
declared that he had never taken np arms against the Union, 
bnt he had aided and abetted those who had, and admitted 
that he was still a Secessionist. 

" Yon can't go !" said the general. 

" It seems very hard," replied Secesh, " that I can't go to 
see my wife." 

" Ko* harder for you than it is for me," returned the gene- 
ral. "I want to see my wife. You have compelled me to 
leave her by your infernal treason. You surely don't expect 
me to grant you a favor which you'' rebclKous conduct pre- 
vents me from enjoying," 

"Well, but, general—" 

" It is useless to talk, sir. If you will go to work and 
assist me to return to my wife, I will do all I can to enable 
you to return to yours." 

"What do you wish me to do, general?" 

"I wish you to return to your allegiance, and, as far as 
lies in your power, to discountenance rebellion and treason." 

"But, general, my conscience will not allow me to do 
that." 

'■'' Neither^ tlien^'' replied the Kentucky patriot, "will my 
conscience allow me to grant you favors which are due only 
to loyal men." 

Of course, as there was nothing further to be urged, the 
baffled rebel took up his hat and left. The general turned 
toward those who were sitting in his tent, and quietly re- 
marked : 

"When you have rendered these rebels fully sensible of 
liow much they have lost by their rebellion, you have taken 
the lirst step toward making them loyal men." 

Scarcely had the secesh gentleman taken his departure, 
when there came to the door of the tent a foppish fellow in 



GEN. ROUSSKAU AND THE KEBELS. 193 

striped summer clotliing, with as mean a looking countenance 
as cue often sees, even amongst the rebels. He held a piece 
of paper in his hand. 

" General," said he, with much levity, insolence and non- 
chalance, " General, I could not get through your pickets, 
although I have here Gen. Buell's pass." 

"Come in and sit down, sir," said the general; "I am 
glad to see you ; I was just about to send out and have you 
arrested, and you have saved me the trouble." 

The rebel's countenance instantly fell, and he began to 
stammer, " Why, genei-al,"' 

In a voice firm, determined, calm, and yet just angry 
enough to show that he Avas in earnest, the general interrupt- 
ed him : 

" I am told that you said to a crowd upon the street, that 
rather than see the United States government restored 
throughout the South, you Avould see even your wife and 
children buried. If this can be proven against you, I shall 
send 3^011 at once to Fort Warren, as sure as there is a living 
God !" 

I^^ever could there be a more abject and contemptible 
looking specimen of human being, than that rebel, as he ap- 
peared at the conclusion of this speech. The brazen impu- 
dence which at first sat upon his features was all gone. He 
turned first red, then deadly pale; he looked in ludicrous 
dismay from one individual to another ; he writhed, he swal- 
lowed, he choked. 

" You are self-condemned. Dr. Martin," continued the 
general ; " you are guilty of a heinous offence, and you know 
it. You have committed, by all laws, human and divine, the 
high crime of treason. You have accepted a commission as a 
surgeon in the rebel army, from the hands of Jeffi Davis, 
whom you knew to be at the head of a vast conspiracy for 
breaking up the government. You voluntarily offered yourself 
as a part of the machinery by means of which he expected tc 
overturn the Republic, and destroy the lives of loyal men 



194 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

You attached yourself, too, for the express purpose of giving 
aid and comfort to those who, for more than a year past, have 
been engaged in butchering our friends, our brothers and our 
fathers. Your family remained in this place, and, notwith- 
standing the presence of our troops, they have been treated 
with the utmost consideration and respect. You yourself, be- 
coming tired of the rebel service, fiually resigned ; and know- 
ing the clemency of the government against which you had 
been so long waging war, you unhesitatingly came into our 
midst. Instead of being at once arrested and hung as a 
traitor, you were cordially received, and treated in every re- 
spect like a gentleman. "Were you not V 

" Oh, yes, general," stammered the rebel, " I have been 
treated very gentlemanly, indeed." 

" You were not deprived of your liberty, were you ?" 
" Oh, no, I wasn't even required to give any parole, except 
my word." 

" Certainly not," resumed the general; "notwithstanding 
your treason, we desired, if possible, to waken a sense of 
Ijonor in your bosom, and consequently treated you as a man 
of honor, requiring you to give no bond for your good be- 
havior, save your mere word. Freely as any loyal citizen you 
were permitted to go home, to enjoy the company of your 
family, and to mingle with your friends. And in ]'eturn, how 
have you requited us ? By using the most seditious and 
treasonable language ; for some time, doubtless, within doors ; 
until at last, insolently abusing your privileges, or wholly un- 
able to appreciate the wonderful magnanimity of the govern- 
ment in giving you your freedom, you go upon the street, 
collect a crowd around you, preach your treason to them 
openly, and wind up by declaring that you would rather buiy 
your mfe and children than see the authority of the National 
Government again restored ! Now tell me, did the govern- 
ment ever harm you in any way ?" 

" No," replied the guilty rebel, " I can't say that it ever 
did." 



THE EAGLE OF THE NORTHWEST. 195 

" And yet you made war upon it, and, even after it had 
given you blessings for cursings, sought to stir up the devil in 
your neighbors' hearts, by telling them you would rather bury 
your wife and children than see it resrone its rightful author- 
ity over the rebellious States !" 

During the entire castigation, the doctor writhed and 
twisted like a serpent in the talons of an eagle. Eallying 
himself somewhat at last, he made a feeble attempt at a deniid, 
and said he could not remember having ever made use of such 
language. " My information," replied the general, " will not 
allow me to doubt your guilt. Consider yourself under ar- 
rest ; but, as I have not time to investigate the matter more 
fully now, I will permit you to go home to your family and 
spend the night. Return to-morrow morning at nine o'clock, 
when you shall be confronted with the witnesses who accuse 
you." In consequence of the accusation not being as grave 
as was at first supposed, this rebellious subject was suffered to 
remain by taking the oath of allegiance. 



THE EAGLE OF THE NOETHWEST 

"When, in the year 1861, the Eighth "Wisconsin Regiment 
marched from that State to the seat of war, it carried with it 
an eagle. From that time, through all the marches, battles, 
sieges and vicissitudes of war, this bird has remained with the 
command and shared its hardships, dangers and adventures. 
He is a great favorite with the soldiers, but scarcely so with 
the sutler, in whose tent he often makes predatory raids, 
carrying off live chickens, and anything good to eat that may 
be around loose. There is a dog in the regiment with whom 
the eagle is on good terms. He even suffers the animal to 
begin his meals with him ; but, as the provender disappears, 
the appetite of the eagle commonly overcomes his affection, 



196 AMI. CJ DOTES, INCIDENTS, ETu. 

and lie drives his foiu'-footed friend awaj. The eagle has a 
great fancy for rides on horseback. Whenever he sees an 
opportunity to do so, he springs to the back of a liorse, and 
defies the ntniost efiorts of the quadruped to dislodge him. 
Blit it has been in action that the eagle has shown its strong 
points. Whenever the regiment lias joined battle with the 
foe, the eagle has been at his post with the soldier who owns 
him, at the head of Company D. As the engagement waxed 
hot — as the roar of the heavy guns shook the earth, and the 
rattle of small arms pierced the dun and sulphurous cloud 
that liung about the line of battle — the eagle would liap his 
wings and mingle his voice with the tumult in the fiercest and 
wildest of his screams. Twice has he been wounded in action, 
one ball cutting away a great portion of his tail feathers. 
But he has never turned tail to the foe. lie has gone with 
his regiment through seven States, a fit companion and em- 
blem of the heroes of the Northwest. He is now at home 
with the veterans recruiting, and there is not a banner or a 
" broker " in the United States that brings men to the regi- 
mental flag as fast as the war-eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin. 
Thousands flock to see him, and his sharp, shrill cry is always 
heard, at morning and evening, with the fifes and drums of 
the guard. The people of Wisconsin are determined that 
when the war is over, and the eagle comes home again, lie 
shall be kept in the Capitol grounds at Madison ; so that their 
children and children's children, even when a hundred years 
have gone, shall see at least one living veteran w^ho fought in 
the great war. 




A.N INCIDKNT AT THE LATE IJ O S T O N FAIR. 197 

AN INCIDENT AT THE LATE BOSTON FAIR. 

As I stood to-day looking at the bristling lines of bayonets 
that rise on either side of the great organ, and are surmounted 
by the blood-stained banners of the Massaehusetts regiments, 
I was conscious of a stir and niurnuir in the crowd that caused 
nie to turn and look behind me. A pale and haggard coun- 
tenance, lit by eyes of wonderful power and expression, met 
me, and I drew back instinctively to make room for their pos- 
essor. He was "only a private," but had enlisted in the Gth 
Massachusetts the very next day after the President's call for 
troops in 18G1 — had been wounded in that ever-memoraljlo 
passage through the city of Baltimore ; but had continued in 
the service, until iinally, at Fredericksburg, his leg was shot 
away, and his lower jaw was torn and horribly disligured by 
a minie-ball. Now dying with consumption, he had come 
home, and " could not die in peace," he said, " until he had 
been carried to the hall to look at the tattered and bloody 
flag under which he had fought so long. He was supported 
by two men, and slowly and painfully made his way up to 
tlie pkitform where it hung, waving solemnly as if ])ro- 
nouncing a benedicti(jn on the poor pilgrim who had given 
his life in its holy service. As he reverently lifted his e;ip 
and saluted it, it required no prophetic vision to see the 
martyr's crown already descending on that young head ; and 
many a heart in that vast crowd, was baptised anew in tlu; 
flood* of patriotic devotion that welled up into "eyes all 
unused to tears." 

A fev/ feet from him stood Edward Everett, the scholur 
the statesman and tlie patriot, whom JNew England delights 
to honor ; but in the great book of records who shall say 
that the name of this poor common soldier may not shine as 
brightly, if it cannot hold as lofty a place ? 



198 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

FEEDING THE WIVES A'ND CIIILDEEK OF 
EEBELS. 

Wliile the rebels half starve onr men held by them as 
prisoners, the government is disbursing rations to the amount 
of thousands of dollars daily to the wives and children of rebel 
soldiers, coming within our lines. A correspondent of the 
ISTew York World at Bridgeport, Alabama, gives an account 
of forty-four women who applied for help from the com- 
missary there in a single day. They were all required to 
sign the oath, and of the forty-four, only three could write 
well and thirty-five could not sign their names. Twenty of 
the number had husbands in the rebel army, while the husband 
of only one was in the Union army ; the rest were widows. 
One owned 400 acres of land, but her slaves were carried off 
by Bragg, and she had neither money nor provisions. One 
case is given as a sample of nearly all : — 

Provost-Marshall. — Are you a widow? 

Mrs. Ricard. — No, sir. 

P. M. — Where is your husband ? 

Mrs. R. — With Bragg, in the third Tennessee cavalry. 

P. M. — Your husband is in the rebel army ; when did he 
join it ? 

Mrs. P. — Two years since. ' 

P. M.—Did he volunteer ? 

Mrs. M. — Yes, to keep from being conscripted. , - 

P. M. — But the rebel conscription law was not then in 
force. 

• Mrs. R. — But they told him that it would sooii be, and he 
had better volunteer. 

P. M. — Was he not a strong secessionist from the start ? 

Mrs. E. — Yes ; he thought you wanted to deprive us of 
our rights, and take all our slaves. 

P. M. — How many slaves did he own ? 

Mrs. E.— None. 



friNTS FOR THE EECEUIT8. 199 

P. M. — Had Le a plantation ? 

Mrs. R. — No, sir. 

P. M.— What property had he ? 

Mrs. E.. — JN'othing ; he lived by day's work. 

P. M. — Why, then, was he so fearful about the slaves ? 

Mrs. 11. — Because he was afraid the Xorth would put the 
niggers on an equality with us. 

P. M. — Your husband is in the rebel army, and you ask 
Us to supply you with bread. Why do you do this ? 

Mrs. Ricard threw aside tllo fly of the tent, and just out- 
Bide stood five small children, who had but a single article of 
clothing — a light, homespun cotton wrapper — on each, though 
the wind was blowing chilly cold from the north, "They 
have not had a mouthful since yesterday morning," said 
Mrs. H., "and not half enough for six months." The appeal 
was irresistil)le ; the provost- marshal then told her he would 
administer the oath, and get her relief On being asked to 
subscribe her name, she replied tliat she could not write, and 
accordingly a resort was had to the mark. 



NEGEO EQUALITY ILLUSTRATED. 

Quite recently, at a Louisville boarding house, a lady, of 
northern birth and education, but a bitter rebel, was reading 
to a mixed company an absurd account of some Northern 
women landing at Hilton Head, South Carolina, and embrac- 
ing ■ a negress, calling her " sister," etc. Tlie lady was tri- 
umphantly vindictive, and exclaimed to a Federal captain : 

"What do you think of that? Isn't that a beautiful spe- 
cimen of your negro equality ? " 

The captain was annoyed, and hardly knew what to say. 
He said nothing, in fact, but turned and walked to the win- 
dow. Glancing out, he saw on the opposite sidewalk a group 
of negroes enjoying themselves in the sun as only negroes can. 



200 ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 

They were of all sizes and all shades of color — some almost 
white. Smiling at the thought that it was now his turn, he 
said to the rebel lady : 

" Will you step to the window a moment ?" 

" Certainly," (suiting the act to the word.) 

" Look there. Do you see that ?" 

" See what, sir'^" 

" Why, that black-yellow-white group on the other side." 

" Certainly I do. What is strange about it ?" 

" Oh, notliing, I suppose ; only one would think there 
must have been considerable negro equality practiced by the 
white people of the South, as well as those of the I^orth." 

The lady "retired," and thereafter was somewhat less 
insulting in her demonstrations. 



AMUSING INSTAIS'CE OF EEBEL DESEKTION. 

After the recent advance of our army upon Bragg at Tulla- 
hoina, and his retreat, the Pioneer Brigade pushed on to Elk 
Eiver to repair a bridge. While one of its men, a private, was 
bathing in the river, five of Bragg's soldiers, guns in hand, came 
to the bank and took aim at the swimmer, one of them shouting : 

" Come here, you Yank, out of the wet !" 

The Federal was quite sure that he was " done for," and 
at once obeyed. After dressing himself he was thus accosted : 

" You surrender, our prisoner, do you f 

" Of course, I do." 

" That's kind. Now, we'll surrender to you !" And the 
five stacked arms before him, their spokesman adding : 

" We've done with 'em, and have said to old Bragg " good 
bye !" Secesh is played out. Now you surround us and take 
us into your camp." 

This was done accordingly ; and is but one of hundreds 
of instances of wholesale desertion coming to the knowledge 
of our ofilcers in Lower Tennessee. 



THE GREAT BATTLES. 



PART III. 





HE narratives here given of the chief con 
ilicts are from eve-witnesses and partici- 
pants, and liaving been written immediately 
on their termination, they have a vividness 
and interest that a more dehberate and 
later account could not have. Of course, all 
the details and plans would hardly be as well 
understood under such circumstances by the 
narrators, and yet, for truth- and completeness they have been 
commended in high quarters, and it has beefl thought best to 
give them, even with all their inaccuracies, as they appeared in 
the various public prints at the time, excepting some certain 
modifications which have not materially changed or affected 
the articles. 

America has added to the world's great battle-fields those 
of Sliiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, and others whose names are 
now as classic as those of Marathon, Thermopylae and "Water- 
loo. Around them will ever cling the most sad and tender 
memories. 

These master sketches of the great battles sui-pass anything 
ever given us contemporaneously with the great conflicts of the 
past, and they furnish us with a vivid and tolerably lucid ac- 
count of these struggles in which the life of our country was 
at stake. 



202 THE GREAT BATTLE8. 

BATTLE OF BULL KUN. 

BY EDMUND C. STEDMAN. 

Washingtok, Monday, July 22, 1861. 
At two o'clock this morning I arrived in Washington, having v/itnessed 
the great conflict near Manassas Junction from beginning to end, and the 
gigantic rout and panic which broke up the Federal army at its close. I 
stayed near the action an hour or two latt-r tlian my associates, in order to 
gather the final incidents of the day, and fully satisfy myself as to the nature 
and extent of the misfortune. 

And now in what order shall the event of yesterday be described ? Even 
now how shall one pretend to give a synthetic narration of the whole battle, 
based on the heterogeneous statements of a thousand men ; a battle wliose 
arena was a tract miles in breadth and length, interspersed witli liills and 
forests ; whose contending forces were divided into a dozen minor armies, 
continually interchanging their positions, and never all embraced within the 
cognizance of any spectator or participator. Even the general commanding 
the Federal columns was ignorant, at the close, of the positions of the several 
corps; was ignorant, at the beginning, of the topography of the dangerous 
territory on which he attacked an overpowering foe. Was either general of 
division better informed of the movements even of hi? own forces ? I doubt 
it. I only know that at sunset last evening, generals, colonels, and majors 
were all retiring, devoid of their commands, no more respected or obeyed 
than the poorest private in the broken ranks. I know that a grand army, 
retreating before superior numbers, was never more disgracefully or need- 
lessly disrupted,' and blotted, as it were, out of existence in a single day. 
This is the truth, and wliy should it not be recorded ? And why should 
I not tell the causes Avhich produced this sad result ? Weeks will be 
required for the proper summing up of details. At present, for one, I 
acknowledge niy inadequacy to describe more than the panorama which 
passed before my o^vn eyes, and the result decided by the combination of 
this with much that was seen and done elsewhere. 

The aflair of Thursday last was like a spectacle in an amphitheatre, 
visible in its oneness to all who were on the sides of that mountain valley. 
But those who were on yesterday's field now understand how little of a 
great battle in a hilly region is known or seen by curious lookers-on ; how 
much less by those actually engaged in its turmoil. But let me give the 
plan and commencement of the engagement on our side, the pi'ogress of that 
portion which was within my ken, and the truth in relation to the result. 



H A l T L K O F B IT L L RUN. 203 



PROGRAMME OF THE ADVANCE. 



On Friday, the day succeeding our repulse at Bull Run, Major Barnard, 
topographical engiiflser of the general staiF, escorted by Co. B of the second 
Cavalry regiment (under Lieut. Tompkins), made a wide reconnoissance of 
the country to the north, in order to examine the feasibility of turning the 
enemy's rear by a strategic movement in that direction. 

A route was discovered by which it appeared that such a measure might 
be successfully executed. In a letter on the defences of Manassas Junction, 
I pointed out the different roads leading thitherward from Centreville. One 
— the most direct — is that passing through Thursday's battle-field ; another, 
further north, leading, when produced, to Warrenton, beyond the Alanassas 
Gap Railroad. From the latter, a minor road, branching off still more to 
the north, was found to open at a fork halfway between Centreville and the 
Bull Run ravine. This road could be used for the rapid advance of men and 
artillery, preceded by a corps of sappers and miners. 

A plan was at once projected by Gen. McDowell for a decisive attack 
upon the enemy's line of defence, to be made simultaneously 'oy three ad- 
vancing columns, from the- several points of approach. The various division 
encampments were already advantageously located for the inception of such 
a movement, and orders were swiftly issued for the entire army to start at 
six o'clock on Saturday afternoon. It was afterwards discovered that our 
stock of heavy ammunition embraced no more than nineteen rounds to each 
gun, and that we must send to Fairfax for a better supply. It was also 
thought advisable to have the army arrive in sight of the enemy at sunrise 
and the first orders were accordingly countermanded, and fresh ones issued, 
appointing two o'clock of the ensuing morning for the hour of leaving camp. 
Three days' rations were to be served out by the commissary, and the tents 
of each regiment to remain standing and under guard. 

In the moonlight of the stillest hour of the night our force of 36,000 men 
began to move, in pursuance of the following arrangement for the advance : 
On the left, or southernmost road, the gallant Colonel Richardson, be it 
remembered, had continued to hold the approach to the field where he 
fought so bravely on Thursday, his command -consisting of the Fourth 
Brigade of Tyler's Division, viz., the Second and Third Michigan, the First 
Massachusetts, and the Twelfth New York regiments. It was rightly de- 
termined that these troops, if they fought at all, should be apportioned to 
ground 6f which they already had partial knowledge. Behind Richardson, 
and near Centreville, Col. Miles was to take up his position in reserve, with 
his entire First and Second brigades. Tliese included the Eighth (German 
Rif.es) and Twenty-ninth New York regiments, the Garibaldi Guard and 
thi Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania, the Sixteenth. Eighteenth, Thirty-first, 



20i THE GEE AT BATTLES. 

and Thirty-second NeAv York regiments, and the Company Gr (Second 
A rtillery) buttery — the one lately brought from Fort Pickens. Thus 
Richardson could call to his support, if necessary, a reserve of 7,000 men, in 
addition to the 4,000 \vith which he was instructed " to hold his position, to 
prevent the enemy from moving on Cenlreville past our left, but not to 
make any attack." The centre, on the Wurrenton road, commanded by 
Gen. Tyler, consisted of the First and Second Brigades of the Tyler Division, 
embracing the First and Second Ohio, and Second New York regiments, 
under Gen. Schenck, and the Sixty-ninth, Seventy-ninth, and Thirteenth 
New York, and Second Wisconsin, under Col. Sherman. Carlisle's, Rick- 
ett's, and Ayres' battery, accompanied this important column, which 
numbered G,000 men, and which was supported in the rear by the Third 
Tyler Brigade, under Col. Keyes, consisting of the First, Second, and Third 
Connecticut regiments, and the Fourth Maine — a force of 3,000, available at 
a moment's call. On the extreme right, Col. Hunter took the lead, with 
the two brigades of his division, viz., the Eighth and Fourteenth New- 
York regiments under Col. Porter, with a battalion of the Second, Third, 
and Eighth regular infantry,, a portion of the Second cavalry, and the Fifth 
Artillery battery, under Col. Burnside; the First and Second Ohio, the 
Seventy-first New York, and two New Hampshire regiments, with the 
renowned Rhode Island batteiy. After Hunter's followed Col. Heintzel- 
man's Division, including the Fourth and Fifth Massachusetts and the First 
Minnesota regiments, with a cavalry company and a battery, all under Col. 
Franklin, and the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Maine and Second Vermont 
regiments under Col. Howard. To about 14,000 men was tlms intrusted 
the difficult and most essential labor of turning the enemy by a circuitous 
movement on the right, and these troops, as it eventuated, were to expe- 
rience the larger part of the sanguinary fighting of the day. 

On the night preceding the battle Gen. Cameron visited the camp, 
reviewed the Third Tyler brigade, passed a few hours with Gen. McDowell, 
and then left for Wasliington in spirits depressed by no premonition of the 
disaster which was to befall our arms, and the private grief which would 
add a deeper sorrow to the feelings he now experiences. After midnight 
a carriage was placed at Gen. McDowell's tent, which was to bear him to 
the scene of action. In order to be ready to move with the army, I went 
down to the familiar quarters of Lieutenant Tompkins, whose company 
was attached to the General's escort, and there slept an hour while our 
horses ate the only forage they were to have for a day and a half. At two 
o'clock we were awakened ] the army had commenced to move. 



BATTLE OF BULL ETN. 205 

THE MIDNIGHT MARCH. 

There was moonlight, as I have said ; and no moonlight scene ever 
offered more varying themes to the genius of a great artist. Through the 
hazy valleys, and on Mil slopes, miles apart, were burnmg the fires at which 
forty regiments had prepared their midnight meal. In tlie vistas opening 
along a dozen lines of view, thousands of men were moving among the 
fitful beacons ; horses were harnessing to artillery, white army wagons 
were in motion with the ambulances — whose black covering, when one 
thought about it, seemed as appropriate as that of the coffin which accom- 
panies a condemned man to the death before him. All was silent confusion 
and intermingling of moving horses and men. But forty thousand soldiers 
stir as quickly as a dozen, and in fifteen minutes from the commencement 
of the bustle every regiment had taken its place, ready to fall in to the 
division to which it was assigned. General McDowell and staff went in 
the centre of Tyler's, the central cohmm. At 2i a. m. the last soldier had 
left the extended encampments, except those remaining behind on guard. 

The centre line appeared to offer the best chances for a survey of the 
impending action, and in default of any certain pre-knowledge, was accom- 
panied by all non-pai'ticipators whom interest or duty had drawn to the 
movement of the day. In order to obtain a full review of its moonlight 
march to the most momentuous etfort of the campaign, I started at the ex- 
treme rear, and rapidly passed along to overtake the van of the column. 
For some way the central and right divisions were united, the latter forming 
off, as I have explained, about a mile beyond Centreville. So, leaving camp 
a mile below the village, I enjoyed the first spectacle of the day — a scene 
never to pass fi'om the memory of those who saw it. Here were thousands 
of comrades-in-arms going fonvard to lay down their lives in a common 
cause. Here was all and more than one had read of the solemn parapher- 
nalia of war. These were not the armies of the aliens to us, but, with 
the dress, the colors, the officers, of every regiment, we were so familiar 
that those of each had for us their own interest, and a different charm. 
We knew the men, their discipline, their respective heroes; what corps 
were most relied on ; whose voice was to be that of Hector or Aga- 
memnon in the coming fray. How another day would change all this I 
How some long-vaunted battalions would perhaps lose their, as yet, un- 
earned prestige, while accident or heriM<m should gild the standards of many 
before undistinguished ! Then, as I followed along that procession of rum- 
bling cannoivcarriages and caissons, standards and banners, the gleaming 
infantry with their thousands of shining bayonets, and the mounted officers 
of every staff, Mdiat fine excitement was added to the occasion by the salu- 
tations and last assurances of the many comrades dearer than the rest ! The 



206 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

spirit of the soldiery was magnificent. They were all smarting under tlie 
reproach of Thursday, and longing for the opportunity to wipe it out. There 
was glowing rivalry between the men of different States. " Old Massachu- 
setts will not be ashamed of us to-night." " Wait till the Ohio boys get at 
them." " We'll fight for New York to-day," and a hundred similar utter- 
ances, were shouted from the different i-anks. The ofQcers were as glad of 
the task assigned them as their men. I rode a few moments with Lieut.- 
Col. Haggerty, of the Sixty-ninth. He mentioned the; newspaper statement 
that he was killed at the former battle, and laughingly said that he felt very 
warlike for a dead man, and good for at least one battle more. This brave 
ofBcer was almost the first victim of the day. The cheery voice of Meagher, 
late the Irish, now the American patriot, rang out more heartily than ever. 
Then there were Corcoran, and Burnside, and Keyes, and Speidel, and 
many another skilled and gallant officer, all pushing forward to the first 
fruition of their three months' patient preparation. In the ranks of the 
Connecticut and other regiments, were old classmates and fellow-townsmen, 
with whom it was a privilege to exchange a word on this so different occa- 
sion from any anticipated in those days when all .the Slates were loyal, and 
the word "disunion" was a portion of an unknown tongue. 

General McDowell's carriage halted at the junction of the two roads, a 
place most favorable for the quick reception of despatches from all portions 
of the field. The column assigned to Colonel Hunter here divided from the 
main body and went on its unknown, perilous journey around the enemy's 
flank. 

A mile along — and by this time the white morning twilight gave us a 
clearer prospect than the fading radiance which had tluis flir illumed the 
march — we could look across an open country on the left to the farm-house, 
where Ave knew Cul. Richardson was statioiied, and to the blood-stained 
valley beyond, whose upper reaches Avere now to be the arena of a larger 
conflict. But it was after sunrise when the van of Gen. Tyler's column 
came to the edge of the wooded hill overlooking those reaches. The sun 
had risen as splendid as the sun of Austerlitz. Was it an auspicoius omen 
for us, or for the foe ? Who could foretell ? Tlie scenery was too beautiful 
and full of nature's own peace, for one to believe in the possibility of the 
tumult and carnage just at hand, or that among those green oak forests 
lurked every engine of destruction which human contrivance has produced, 
with hosts of an enemy more dangerous and subtle than the wild beasts 
which had once here made their liiding-places. Then, too, it was Sunday 
morning. Even in the wilderness, the sacred day seems purer and more 
hushed than any other. It was ours to first jar upon the stillness of the 
morning, and becloud the clearness of that serene atmosphere Avith the rude 
clangor of the avant messenger that heralded our challenge to a disloyal foe. 



BATTLE OF BULL KITN. ^07 

THE BATTLE. 

• 

From the point I mention, where the road slopes doAvn to a protected 
ravine, we caught the first glimpse of the enemy. A line of mfantry were 
drawn up across a meadow in the extreme distance, resting close upon 
Avoods behind them, ^\e could see the reflection of their bayonet?, and 
their regular disposition showed them expectant of an attack. After a mo- 
ment's inspection, Gen. Tyler ordered Carlisle to advance with his battery 
to the front, and here one could think of nothing but Milton's line : 

" Vanguard ! to the right and left the front unfold." 

The ancient order for the disposition of advance ranks is still in military 
usage; for the second and third Tyler brigades under Schenck, were at once 
formed in line of battle, in the woods on either side — the First Ohio, Second 
Wisconsin, Seventy-ninth, Thirteenth, and Sixty-ninth New York regiments 
succeeding each other on the right, and the Second Ohio, and Second New 
York being similarly placed on the left, while the artiller}' came down the 
road between. 

A great 32-ponnd rifled Parrott gun — the only one of its calibre in our 
field service — Avas brought forward, made to bear on the point where we had 
just seen the enemy, (for the bayonets suddenly disappeared in the woods 
behind,) and a shell was fired at fifteen minutes past 6 a. m., which burst 
in the air ; but the report of the piece awoke the country, for leagues around, 
to a sense of what was to be the order of the day. The reverberation was 
tremendous, shaking through the hills like the volley of a dozen plebeian 
cannon, and the roar of the revolving shell indescribable. Throughout the 
battle that gun, whenever it was fired, seemed to hush and overpower every 
thing else. We waited a moment for an answering salute, but receiving 
none, sent the second shell at a hill-top, two miles off, where we suspected 
that a battery had been planted by the rebels. The bomb burst like an 
echo close at the intended point, but still no answer came, and Gen. Tyler 
ordered Carlisle to cease firing, and bring the rest of his battery to the front 
of the woods and our column, ready for instant action. It was now about 
7 o'clock. For half an hour but little more was done; then skirmislieis 
were deployed into the forest on each side, in order to discover the wliere- 
abouts of our nearest foes. Before us lay a rolling and comparatively open 
country, but with several hills and groves cutting off any extended view. 
In the western distance on the left we could see the outskirts of Manassas 
Junction. The woods at whose edge our line of battle formed, extended 
half around the open fields in a kind of semicircle, and it was into the arms 
of this crescent that our skirmishers advanced. Soon we began to hear 
random shots exchanged in the thicket on the left, which proved the exist- 



20^ THE GREAT BATTLES. 

ence of an enemy m that direction. (What can be done against men who. 
to all the science and discipline of European warfare, add more than the 
meanness and cowardly treachery of the Indian ? We had, all through the 
day, to hunt for the foe, though he numbered liis myriads of men.) At the 
same time, a scout on the right captured a negro native, who was led to the 
general, shaking with fear, and anxious to impart such information as he had. 
Through him we learned that the rebels were quartered among the woods 
on the right and left, and in the groves in the open country ; that they had 
erected a battery on the distant hill, and had kept him at work for three 
days, assisting to fell trees, so that a clear range of the road we occupied 
could be obtained. 

By this time our scouts reported the enemy in some force on the left. 
Two or three Ohio skirmishers had been killed. Carlisle's battery was sent 
to the front of the woods on the right, where it could be brought to play 
where needed. A few shell were thrown into the opposite thicket, and 
then the Second Ohio and Second New York marched down to rout out 
the enemy. In ten minutes the musketry was heard, and then a heavy 
cannonade answer. They had, without doubt, fallen upon a battery in the 
bushes. For a quarter of an hour their firing continued, when they came 
out in good order, confirming our surmises. After advancing a furlong they 
saw the enemy, who exchanged their fire and retired through the forest. 
Suddenly from a different direction a voice was heard, exclaiming, " Now, 
you Yankee devils, we've got you where we want you I" and several heavy 
guns were opened upon them with such effect that Schenck finally ordered 
them to retii-e, which they did in perfect order. The boys came out indig- 
nant at the practices of the rebels, and swearing they would rather fight 
three times their force in the open field than encounter the deadly mystery 
of those thickets. No soldiers are willing to have their fighting entirely 
confined to storming infernal earthworks at the point of the bayonet. Every 
regiment, yesterday, was at times a "forlorn hope." 

A few dead and wounded began to be brouglit in, and the battle of Ma- 
nassas had commenced. Carlisle's howitzers and the great rifled gun were 
opened in the direction of the battery, which answered promptly, and a 
brief, but terrific cannonading ensued. In less than half an hour the enemy's 
guns were silenced, two of Carlisle's howitzers advancing through the wooda 
to gain a closer position. But a fatal error was here made, as I thought, by 
Gen. Tyler, in not ordering in a division to drive out the four rebel regi- 
ments stationed behind the battery, and to seize its eight guns. Through 
some inexplicable fatuity he seemed to assume that when a battery was 
silenced it was convinced, and there it remained, with its defenders, un- 
heard from and unthought of until the latter portion of the day, when it 
formed one cause of our final defeat. It is actually a fact, that while our 



BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 209 

whole forces were pushed along the right to co-operation with Tlunter'g 
flanking column, and a distance of miles in advancCj this position on the left, 
dose to the scene of the commencement of the fight, and just in front of all 
our trains and ammunition wagons — a position chosen by all spectators as 
the most secure — was, tl;rough the day, within five minutes' reach of a 
concealed force of infantry, and a battery which had only been "silenced." 
No force was stationed to guard the rear of our left flank. It was near this 
very point, and with the assistance of this very infantry, that the enemy's 
inal charge was made, which created such irretrievable confusion and dis- 
may. And after the first few hours no oflicer could be found in this vicinity 
to pay any attention to its security. All had gone forward to follow the 
line of the contest. 

Meantime, Richardson, on the extreme left, could not content himself 
with "maintaining his position," for we heard occasional discharges from' 
two of his guns. However, he took no other part in the action than by 
shelling the forces of the enemy which were sent rapidly from his vicinity 
CO the immediate point of contest. From the liill behind we could see long 
columns advancing, and at first thought they were Richardson's men mov- 
ing on Bull Run ; but soon discovered their true character. Indeed, from 
every southward point the enemy's reinforcements began to pour in by 
tnousands. Great clouds of dust arose from the distant roads. A person 
who ascended a lofty tree could see the continual arrival of cars at the near- 
est point on the Manassas railroad, with hosts of soldiers, who formed in 
solid squares and moved swiftly forward to join in the contest. The whistle 
of the locomotive was plainly audible to those in our advance. It is be-" 
Ueved that at least fifty thousand were added during the day to the thirty 
thousand rebels opposed to us at the onset. It was hard for our noble fel- 
lows to withstand these incessant reinforcements, but some of our regiments 
whipped several corps opposed to them in quick succession, "and whenever 
our forces, fresh or tired, met the enemy in open field, they made short 
work of his opposition." 

At 10^ A. M. Hunter was heard from on the extreme right. He had 
previously sent a courier to Gen. McDowell, reporting that he had safely 
crossed the run. The general was lying on the ground, having been ill dur- 
ing the night, but at once mounted his horse and rode on to join the column 
on which so much depended. From the neighborhood of Sudley Church 
tie saw the enemy's left in battle array, and at once advanced upon thera 
with the Fourteenth New York and a battalion of regular infantry — Col. 
Hunter ordeiing up the stalwart Rhode Island regiments, (one led by that 
model of the American volunteer, Burnside,) the Second New Hampshire, and 
our own finely-disciplined Seventy-first (N. Y.) Gov. Sprague himself directed 
the movements of the Rhode Island brigade, and was conspicuous through 



210 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

the day for gallantry. The enemy were found in heav}' numbers opposite 
this unexcelled division of our army, and greeted it v/ith shell ;md long vol- 
leys of battalion firing as it advanced. But on it went, and a fierce conflict 
ensued in the northern battle ground. As soon as Hunter was thus discov- 
ered to be making his way on the flank, Gen. Tyler sent forward the right 
wing of his column to co-operate, and a grand force was thus brought to 
bear most effectually on the enemy's left and centre. 

1'he famous Sixty-ninth (Irish) regiment, 1,600 strong, who have had so 
much of the hard digging to perform, claimed the honor of a share in the 
hard fighting, and led the van of Tyler's attack, followed by the Seventy- 
ninth (Highlanders) and Thirteenth New York and Second Wisconsin. 

It Avas a brave sight — that rush of the Sixty-ninth into the death strag- 
gle ! With such cheers as those Vv'hich won the battles in the Peninsula, 
with a quick step at first, and then a double quick, and at last a run, they 
dashed forward, and along the edge of the extended forest. Coats and 
knapsacks were thrown to either side, that notliing might impede their 
work, but we knew that no guns would slip from the hands of those deter- 
mined fellows, even if dying agonies were needed to close them with a 
firmer grasp. As the line swept along, Meagher galloped towards the head, 
crying " Come on, boj's! you've got your chance at last!" I have not since 
seen him, but hear that he fought magnificently, and is wounded. 

Tyler's forces thus moved forward for half a mile, describing quite one- 
fourth of a circle on the right, until they met a division of the enemy, and 
of course a battery of the enemy's most approved pattern. 

THE HEAT OF THE CONTEST. 

It was noon, and now the battle commenced in the fierceness of its most 
extended fury. The batteries on the distant hill began to play upon our 
own, and upon our advancing troops, with hot and thunderous effects. 
Carlisle answered for us, and Sherman for Hunter's division, while the great 
32-pounder addressed itself resistlessly to the alternate defences of the foe. 
TJ:e noise of the cannonading was deafening and continuous. Conversely 
to the circumstance of the former engagement, it completely drowned, at 
this period, the volleys of the musketry and riflemen. It blanched the 
cheeks of the villagers at Centreville, to the main street of which place 
some of the enemy's rifled shell were thrown. It was heard at Fairfixx, at 
Alexandria, at Washington itself Five or six heavy batteries were in 
operation at once, and to their clamor was added the lesser roll of twenty 
thousand small-arms. What could we civilians see of the fight at thi.s time ? 
Little : yet perhaps more than any who were engaged in it. How anx- 
iously we strained our eyes to catch the various movements, thoughtless of 



BATTLE OF BULL EUN. 211 

everything but the spectacle, and the successes or the reverses of tho 
Federal army. Our infantry were engaged in woods and meadows beyond 
our view. We knew not the nature or position of the force they were 
fighting. But now and tlien there would be a fierce rush into the open 
prospect, a gallant charge on one side and a retreat on the other, and we 
saw plainly that our columns were gaining ground, and steadily pursuing 
their advantage by their gradual movement, which continued towards the 
distance and the enemy's centre. 

We indeed heard continuous tidings of heroism and victory; and those 
in the trees above us told us of more than we could discover with our field 
glasses from below. We heard that Hunter had fairly rounded the enemy's 
flank, and then we listened for ourselves to the sound of his charges in the 
northern woods, and saw for ourselves the air gathering up smoke frcm 
their branches, and the wavering -column of the Mississippians as they fled 
from their first battery, and were forced into the open field. Then we saw 
our own Sixty-ninth and Seventy-ninth, corps animated by a chivalrous na- 
tional rivalry, press on to the support of the more distant column. We could 
catch glimpses of the continual advances and retreats ; could hear occasion- 
ally the guns of a battery bctbre u^iiscovered ; coul.l guess how terribly all 
this accumulation of death upon death must tell upon those undaunted men, 
but could also see — and our cheers continually followed the knowledge — 
that our forces were gradually driving the right of tlie enemy around the 
second quarter of a circle, until by one o'clock the main battle was raging 
at a point almost directly opposite our standing-place — the road at the edge 
of the woods — where it had commenced six hours before. 

There was a hill at the distance of a mile and a half, to which I have 
heretofore alluded. From its height overlooking the whole plain, a few 
shell had reached us early in the day, and as it was nearer the Manassas 
road than almost any other portion of the field, more of the enemy's rein- 
forcements gathered about its ridge than to the aid of the beaten rebels in 
the woods and valleys. Here there was an open battery, and long lines of 
mfantry in support, ready, for a wonder, to let our wearied fellows sec the 
fresh forces they had to conquer. 

As the Sixty-ninth and Seventy-ninth wound round the meadows to the 
north of this hill, and began to cross the road apparently with the intention 
of scaling it, we saw a column coming down from the farthest perspective, 
and for a moment believed it to be a portion of Hunter's division, and that 
it had succeeded in completely turning the enemy's rear. A wild shout rose 
from us all. But soon the look-outs saw that the ensigns bore secession 
banners, and we knew that Johnston or some other rebel general, was 
leading a horde of fresh troops against our united right and centre. It was 
time for more regiments to be sent forward, and Kej^es was ordered to ad- 



212 THE GEEAT BATTLES. 

vance with the First Tyler brigade. The three Connecticut regiments and 
the Fourth Maine came on with a will : the First Connecticut was posted in 
reserve, and the other three corps swept up the field, by the ford on the 
ngiit, to aid the etrugglinfr advance. 

All eyes were now dii-ecteil to the distant hill-top, now the centre of the 
fight. All could see tlif enemy's infantry ranging darkly against the sky be 
yond, and the first lines of our men moving with fine determination up the 
steep slope. The cannonading upon our advance, the struggle upon the hill- 
lop the interchange of position between the contestants, were watched by us, 
and as new forces rushed in upon the enemy's side the scene was repeated 
over and over again. It nmst have been here, I think, that the Sixty-ninth 
took and lost a battery eight times in succession, and finally were compelled, 
totally exhausted, to resign the completion of their work to the Connecticut 
regiments which had just come up. The Third Connecticut finally carried 
that summit, unfurled the Stars and Stripes above it, and paused from the 
fight to cheer for the Union cause. 

Then the battle began to work down the hill, the returning half of the 
drcle which the enemy, driven before the desperate charges of our troops, 
described during the day, until the ver^. point where Tyler's advance com- 
menced the action. Down the hill and into the valley thickets on the left, 
the Zouaves, the Connecticut, and New York regiments, with the uncon- 
querable Rhode Islanders, drove the continually enlarging but always van- 
quished columns of the enemy. It was only to meet more batteries, earth- 
work succeeding earthwork, ambuscade after ambuscade. Our fellows were 
hot and weary; most had drunk no water during hours of dust, and smoke, 
and insufierable heat. No one knows what choking the battle atmosphere 
produces in a few moments, until he has personally experienced it. And so 
the conflict lulled for a little while. It was the middle of a blazing after- 
noon. Our regiments held the positions they had won, but the enemy kept 
receiving additions, and continued a flank movement towards otv left — a 
dangerous movement for us, a movement which those in the rear perceived, 
and vainly endeavored to induce some general oflicer to guard against. 

" Here was the grand blunder, or misfortune of the battle." A misfor- 
tune, tliat we had no troops in reserve after the Ohio regiments were again 
sent fjrward, this time to assist in building a bridge across the run on the 
Warrenton road, by the side of the stone bridge known to be mined. A 
blunder, in that the last reserve was sent forward at all. It should have 
been retained to guard the rear of the left, and every other regiment on the 
field should have been promptly recalled over the route by which it had 
advanced, and oniercd only to maintain such positions as rested on a sup- 
ported, continuous line. Gen. Scutt says, to-day, that our troops had ac- 
complished three days' work, and should have rested long before. But 



BATTLE OF BULL ETTN. 213 

^NfcDoTTell tried to vanquish the South in a single struggle, and the sad re- 
sult is before us. * 

As it was, Capt. Alexander, with his sappers and miners, was ordered lo 
cut through the abatis by the side of the mined bridge, in the valley directly 
before us, and lay pontoons across the stream. Carlisle's artillery was de- 
tailed to protect the work, and the Ohio and Wisconsin reserve to support 
the artillerJ^ Meanwhile, in the lull which I have mentioned, the one thou- 
sand heroic details of Federal valor and the shamelessness of rebel treachery 
began to reach our ears. We learned the loss of the brave Cameron, the 
wounding of Heintzelman and Hunter, the fall of Haggerty, and Slocum, 
and Wilcox. We heard of the dash of the Irishmen and their decimation, 
and of the havoc made and sustained by the Rhode Islanders, the High- 
landers, the Zouaves, and the Connecticut Third ; then of the intrepidity of 
Burnside and Sprague — how the devoted and daring young governor led 
tlie regiments he had so munificently equipped again and again to victorious 
charges, and at last spiked, with his own hands, the guns he could not carry 
away. The victoiy seemed ours. It was an hour sublime in unselfishness, 
and apparently glorious in its results ! 

At this time, near four o'clock, I rode forward through the open plain to 
the creek where the abatis was being assailed by our engineers. The Ohio, 
Connecticut, and Minnesota regiments were variously posted thereabouts; 
others weie in distant portions of the field ; all were completely exhausted 
and partly dissevered ; no general of division, except Tyler, could be found. 
Where were our officers? Where was the foe? Who knew whether we 
had won or lost 1 

The question was to be quickly decided for us. A sudden swoop, an'l a 
body of cavalry rushed down upon our columns near the bridge. They 
'came from the woods on the left, and infantry poured out behind them. 
Tyler and his staff, with the reserve, were apparently cut off by the quick 
manoeuvre. I succeeded in gaining the position I had just left, there wit- 
nessed the capture of Carlisle's battery in the plain, and saw another force 
of cavahy and infantry pouring into the road at the very spot where the 
battle commenced, and near which the South Carolinians, who manned the 
battery silenced in the morning, had doubtless all day been lying concealed. 
The ambulances and wagons had gradually advanced to this spot, and of 
course an instantaneous confusion and dismay resulted. Our own infantry 
broke ranks in the field, plunged into the woods to avoid the road, got up 
the hill as best they could, without leaders, every man saving himseff in his 
own way. 



214 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

THE FLIGHT FROM THE FIELD. 

By tlie time I reached the top of the hill, the retreat, the panic, thf> 
hideous headlong confusion, were now beyond a hope. I was near the rear 
of the movement, with the brave Capt. Alexander, who endeavored by the 
the most gallant but unavailable exertions to check the onward tumult. It 
was difficult to believe in the reality of our sudden reverse. " What docs 
it all moan? " I asked Alexander. ' It means defeat," was his reply. " We 
are beaten; it is a shameful, a cowardly retreat! Hold up men!" he 
shouted, "don't be such infernal cowards!" and he rode backwards and 
forwards, placing his horse across the road and vainly trying to rally the 
running troops. The teams and wagons confused and dismembered every 
corps. We were now cut off from the advance body by the enemy's in- 
fantiy, who had rushed on the slope just left by us, surrounded the guns and 
sutlers' wagons, and were apparently pressing up against us. " It's no use, 

Alexander," I said, "you must leave with the rest." " I'll be d d if I 

will," was the sullen reply, and the splendid fellow rode back to make his 
way as best be could. Mean time I saw officers with leaves and eagles on 
their shoulder-straps, majors and colonels, who had deserted their com- 
mands, pass me galloping as if for dear life. No enemy pursued just then ; 
but I suppose all were atraid that his guns would be trained down the long, 
narrow avenue, and mow the retreating thousands, and batter to pieces 
army wagons and everything else v^hich crowded it. Only one field-officer, 
so far as my observation extended, seemed to have remembered his duty. 
Lieut.-Col. Speidel, a foreigner attached to a Connecticut regiment, strove 
against the current for a league. I positively declare that, with the two 
exceptions mentioned, all efforts made to check the panic before Centreville 
was reached, were confined to civilians. I saw a man in citizen's dress, 
who had thrown off his coat, seized a musket, and was trying to rally the 
soldiers who came by at the point of the bayonet. In a reply to a request 
for his name, he said it was Washburne, and I learned he was the member 
by that name from Illinois. The Hon. Mr. Kellogg made a similar effort. 
Both these Congressmen bravely stood their ground till the last moment, 
and were serviceable at Centreville in assisting the halt there ultimately 
made. And other civilians did what they could. 

But what a scene ! and how terrific the onset of that tumultuous retreat, 
Tor three miles, hosts of Federal troops — all detached from their regiments, 
all mingled in one disorderly rout — were fleeing along the road, but mostly 
through the lots on either side. Army wagons, sutlers' teams, and private 
carriages choked the passage, tumbling against each other, amid clouds o 
dust, and sickening sights and sounds. Hacks, containing unlucky specta- 
tors of the late aflray, were smashed like glass, and the occupants were lost 



BATTLE OF BTLL RUN. 213 

sight of in the debris. Horses, flying wildly from the battle-fielil, many of 
them in death agony, galloped at random forward, joining in (he stampede. 
Those on loot who could catch them rode them bareback, as much to savt 
themselves from being run over, as to make quicker time. "Wounded men, 
lying along tlie banks — the few neither left on the field nor taken to the 
captured hospitals — appealed with raised hands to those who rode horses, 
begging to be lifted behind, but few regarded such petitions. Then the 
artillery, such as was saved, cf.me thundei'ing along, smashing and over- 
powering everything. The regular cavalry, I record it to tlieir shame, joined 
in the melee, adding to its terrors, for tliey rode down footmen without 
mercy. One of the great guns was overturned and lay amid the ruins of a 
caisson, as I passed it. I saw an artilleryman running between the pon- 
derous fore and after wheels of his gun-carriage, hanging on with both 
hands, and vainly striving to jump upon the ordnance. The drivers were 
spurring the horses ; he could not cling much longer, and a more agonizeu 
expression never fixed the features of a drowning man. Tlie carriage 
bounded from the roughness of a steep hill leading to a creek, he lost his 
hold, fell, and in an instant the great wheels had crushed the life out of 
him. Who ever saw such a flight ? Could the retreat of Borodino have 
exceeded it in confusion and tumult? I think not. It did not slack in the 
least until Centreville was reached. There the sight of the reserve — Miles' 
brigade — formed in order on the hill, seemed somewhat to reassure the van. 
But still the teams and foot-soldiers pushed on, passing their own camps and 
heading swiftly for the distant Potomac, until for ten miles the road over 
which the grand army had so lately passed southward, gay with unstained 
banners, and flushed with surety of strength, was covered Avith the frag- 
ments of its retreating forces, shattered and panic-stricken in a single day. 
From the branch route the trains attached to Hunter's division had caught 
the contagion of the flight, and poured into its already Bwollen current 
another turbid fieshet of confusion and dismay. Who ever saw a more 
shameful abandonment of mum'tions gathered at such vast expense? The 
teamsters, many of them, cut the traces of their horses, and galloped from 
the wagons. Others threw out their loads to accelerate their flight, and 
grain, picks, and shovels, and provisions of every kind lay trampled in the 
dust for leagues. Thousands of muskets strewed the route, and when some 
of us succeeded in rallying a body of fugitives, and forming them in a line 
across the road, hardly one but had thrown away his arms. If the enemy 
had brought up his artillery and served it upon the retreating train, or had 
intercepted our progress Avith five hundred of his cavalry, he might have 
captured enough supplies for a week's feast of thanksgiving. As it was, 
enough was left behind to tell the story of the panic. The rout of iha 
Federal army seemed complete. 



216 THE GEEAT BATTLES. 

A CHECK TO THE RETREAT. 

The sight of Miles' reserve drawn up on the hills at Ccntreville, support- 
ing a full batteiy of field-pieces, and the eflbrLs of the few officers stil 
faithful to their trust, encouraged many of the fugitive infantiy to seek theii 
old camps and go no farther. But the majority pushed on to a point neai 
the late site of Germantown, where Lieut. Brisbane had formed a line of 
Hunt's artillerists across the road and repulsed all who attempted to break 
through. I particularly request attention to the service thus rendered by 
this loyal young officer. 

While he was thus engaged, a courier arrived with the News that Col. 
Montgomery was advancing with a New Jersey brigade from Falls Cliurch. 
and that the retreat must be stopped, only the wagons being allowed to 
pass through. Some thousands of the soldiery had already got far on theii 
way to Washington. Poor fellows I who could blame them ? Their own 
colonels had deserted them, only leaving orders for thorn to reach Arlingtor 
Heights as soon as they could. A few miles further I met Montgomery 
swiitly pressing to the rescue, and reported the success of Lieut. Brisbane's 
efforts. And so I rode along, as well as my weary horse could carry me, 
past groups of straggling fugitives, to Fairfax, where Col. Woodbury was 
expecting, and guarding against, a flank movement of the enemy, and on 
again to Long Bridge and the Potomac. But the van of the runaway 
soldiers had made such time that I found a host of them at the Jersey 
intrenchments begging the sentinels to allow them to cross the bridge. To- 
day we learn of the safe retreat of the main body of the army ; that they 
were feebly followed by the rebels as far as Fairfax, but are now within the 
Arlington lines, and that McDowell, a stunned and vanquished general, is 
overlooking the wreck of his columns from his old quarters at the Custis 
Mansion, 

OUR LOSSES. 

The list of the killed and wounded in this wide-spread action will not be 
found pioportionate to the numbers engaged on either side, and to the dura- 
tion of the conflict. The nature of the ground, and the fact that the struggle 
was confined to attacks upon batteries and ambuscades, made the whole 
affair a series of fiery skirmishes, rather than a grand field encounter. Men 
fought with a kind of American individuality— each for bimsell^— and tlie 
musketry firing was of the most irregular character. There were few such 
heavy volleys as those which made the hills echo last Thursday. 

It would not be surprising if our entire loss in killed and wounded should 
prove to have been not over a thousand men. The rebels nmst have 
suffered twice as much from the terrific cannonading of our artillery in tho 



BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 217 

forenoon, and from the desperate charges of the Zouares, the Sixty-ninth, 
and the other corps which were especially distinguished in the engagement. 
The Zouaves captured two batteries, fought hand to hand with the Caro- 
linians in a furious bowie-knife conflict, routed the famous Black Horse 
Cavalry, and only broke ranks when victory became hopeless. 

Nine-tenths of our killed and wounded were perforce left on the field, 
and in the hospitals at either end ; and as the enemy retains possession of 
the ground, we can get no accurate details of our losses. From prisoners 
taken by us we learned that the rebel leaders, determined to have no in- 
cumbrances on their hands, issued orders to give no quarter. It is positively 
known that many of our comrades were bayoneted where they fell. All 
the wounded Zouaves suffered this inhuman fate. 

Rickett's, Carlisle's, and the West Point batteries remain in the enemy's 
possession. Twenty-three of our guns, including the thirty-two-pound 
siege pieces, were taken.* But Sherman, who went into action with six 
cannon, came out with eight — two of them dragged from the rebel em- 
brasures. Large numbers of sutlers' and train wagons are probably cut off, 
and abandoned arms and munitions have fallen into the enemy's hands. At 
the date of this letter, ft is uncertain whether any of our regiments which 
were intercepted at the time of the panic have surrendered themselves to 
tne reoeis ; but this must be the case with many of the infantry, who, 
ignorant of the country, starving and exhausted, dashed into the forests in 
their retreat. Every hour, however, is reducing our list of missing, as the 
stragglers reach their old camps along the Potomac. 

THEORY OF THE DEFEAT. 

The disastrous result of the action was perhaps inevitable — even though 
no panic had occurred at the close — from the three causes against which the 
noblest soldiery can never successfully oppose their daring. First, the 
enemy's forces had been largely underrated, and nearly doubled our own in 
number ; second, the onus of the attack rested entirely upon us, and the 
natural and scientific defences of the rebels made their position almost im- 
pregnable ; third, many of our leaders displayed a lamentable want of 
Uiilitary knowledge. There was little real generalship in the field. There 
was no one mind of the Napoleonic order, at once centralizing and com- 
prehending the entire movement of the day. There was no one to organize 
our regiments in strong, swift-moving coiums, and hurl them powerfully 
against the foe. Nor were the generals of division more competent to their 
work. They exhibited personal bravery, but advantages gained were 

' Sis of the twanty-tliree cannon were recovered the next day by Col. Einstein, the enemy 
'saving delayed removing them from the field. 



/ 

218 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

not secured ; important points were abandoned as soon as carried ; and a 
reckless, fatiguing pursuit preferred, until Beauregard and Davis, wlio com- 
manded in person, led us on to positions thoroughly available for the attack 
of their final reinforcements. As for us, no one had thought of providing 
that reserve absolutely necessary to the sealing and completion of a battle's 
successes. 

It is the last conflict of the day that decides the victory and defeat. We 
had no cavalry to rout our retreating foe. Our artillery was not rendered 
efficient in the afternoon. Gen. Tyler neglected to guard his rear, and to 
check the pushing forward of his trains. As for the colonels, many of those 
who were not wounded or killed in the engagement exhibited not merely 
inefficiency, but the pusillanimity which I have before recorded. To con- 
clude : Before we can force our way through a country as well adapted for 
strategic defence as the fastnesses of the Piedmontese, the defiles of Swit- 
zerland, or the almost unconquerable wilds in which Schamyl so long held 
the Russians at bay — before we can possess and advance beyond the scientific ' 
intrenchments with which the skill of disloyal officers has made those Vir- 
ginia forests so fearfully and mysteriously deathful to our patriotic soldiery, 
we must discover the executive leader whose genius shall oppose new 
modes of subduing a novel, and thus far successful, method of warfare, and 
whose alert action shall carry his devices into resistless efi'ect. — Nev} York 
World, July 23, 18G1. 




THE SEVEN DAYS BATTLES.' 219 



THE SEVEK DAYS' BATTLES. 

BY W. D. B. 

James River, Ya., Tuesday Evening, July 2, 1862. 

friends! could you realize the afflictions of the past five days, you 
could almost shed tears of blood. Said a noble and gallant soldier, whose 
visage was wan, whose voice was tremulous with inexpressible emotion, 
whose beard was matted with his own precious blood — the crimson drops 
were trickling from his wound even then : " my friends ! it is horrible, 
horrible ! to see this proud army so wretchedly pressed upon every side, 
destruction threatening wherever we turn, scarce a hope of extrication save 
that which is born of despair. It is horrible." And the devoted soldier, 
'who had fliced the foe all day, and far into the night which had passed, 
turned into the forest to hide his manly grief. Had you seen his worn and 
haggard warriors plunge wearily on the soil around him, begrimed with 
smoke, and some of them stained with blood, and had you known that an 
hour later those brave men, already exhausted and stiffened with long fight- 
ing and weary marching, would be summoned again to deadly combat^ you, 
too, would have echoed my noble friend. With all his weariness and all his 
deep distress of mind, his sword was flashing defiance again at the breast of 
the foe, before the sun rode highest in the empyrean. Oh ! the gloomy 
countenances and anxious hearts of those dark days ! Would to God such 
days had passed away forever ! O my countrymen ! you cannot compre- 
hend the toils and trials of your devoted soldiers during those days of mur- 
derously unequal combat — conflict not simply with superior masses of dis- 
ciplined soldiery, but contention against insidious thirst, craving appetite, 
enfeebling heat, overpowering fatigue — and after fighting and marching, and 
privations by day and suffering by night, and fighting by days succeeding 
nights of fighting and harassing vigils, against fresh forces hurled upon them in 
overpowering masses, till exhausted nature almost sunk beneath such fearfiil 
visitations, to be pressed to the imminent verge of despair was almost too 
much for human nature to endure. Oh 1 what a glorious spirit of devotion 
to country that inspires men to conquer such distress ! I tell you, people, 
the soldiers of your army have won title to immortality. Whatever fate 
betide them, their children's children may proudly boast: " Our fathers were 
of the army of the Potomac." 

The soil of Virginia is now sacred. It is bathed with the reddest blood of 
tliis broad land. Every rood of it, from the Upper Chickahominy to the base 
of Malvern Hill, is crimsoned with the blood of vour brave brethren. The 



220 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

dark forests — fitting canopy for such woeful sacrifice — echo witli the w ails 
of wounded and dying men. There is a bloody corpse in every copse, and 
mangled soldiers in every thicket of that ensanguined field. Side by side 
they lie and die, friendly with the misguided foe Avhom they so lately 
fought. God only knows how many of the weary ones, plunged headlong 
into the shade of those gloomy pines, for a brief respite from the pressure of 
■war's iron heel, lie there now to sleep the sleep that knows no waking. 
But while I write these lines the foe presses hard. Our soldiers turn their 
breasts to the steel. Their backs are upon the river. God ! shall they 
not stand where they now fight sternly and so well ? 

There is a record of sorrow — it is softened, too, by great pride — to be 
made, how your brethren watched and pressed the enemy for months, and 
how their leader begged, and was not reheved, for power to conquer; how 
day after day they fought and bled — can you forget Fair Oaks and the weeks 
of watching and fighting in view of the spires of Eichmond? — how they 
fought and conquered on Wednesday last ; how they fought and won on 
Thursday; how they resisted and beat back the great surging tide of the 
foe on Friday, but at last, after deeds of heroism, they were compelled to 
yield to overwhelming power ; and how on Saturday and Sunday and Mon- 
day and Tuesday they marched and suffered and fought as if every soldier 
had the soul of a hero in his frame, when nature's energies, almost ex- 
hausted, counseled with their fears, they still stood staggering but uncon- 
querable, and met the summons to fight as if it were a privilege to be en- 
joyed. These were scenes to move the strongest heart. But oh ! how 
cruel, friends, that such brave souls should be pressed almost to the very 
brink of ruin! They stood up still, with want pressing them, with fatigue 
crushing them, and at every summons to the field, they followed the old flag 
with cheers Hke the songs of gods. There was a moral heroism displayed 
by tliose worn men that will make our history's pages shine with splendid 
lustre. 

But the record. With such feeble poAver as I can exert, after nights of 
sleeplessness and days of fasting and hardships — no more comparable though 
with our weary soldiera' troubles than the labor of a pigmy with the works 
of Hercules — I shall attempt the task. It will be necessary, however, to 
carry you over the field and present the salient points in advance. 

You remember that the army was pressing hard upon Eichmond. Every 
communication to the press assured you that it was not strong enough to 
execute the task. For weeks the symptoms of insufficiency of power mani- 
festly increased. But the army pressed so closely upon Eichmond, it could 
not be withdrawn without great peril. Gen. McClellan was committed to 
*' do all he could " with what lie had, while he hoped for aid. If the enemy 
did not redn force he might accomplish his aim. So the work was pressed, 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES. 221 

while the people clamored that it was slow. The right wing, consisting of 
McCall's, Morell's, and Sykes's divisions, less than twenty-five thousand 
strong, was well posted on the left bank of the Chickahominy, from Beaver 
Dam Creek to a point below New-Bridge. Several military bridges formed 
the avenues of communication between the two portions of the army sepa- 
rated by the river. The centre, consisting of Smith's, Sedgwick's, and 
Richardson's divisions, stretched in line of battle from Goulden's, on the 
banks of the river, to a point south of the Yorktown Railroad. The left 
wing, consisting of Hooker's, Kearney's, and Coucli's divisions, stretched 
from Richardson's left to a point considerably south of the Williamsburg 
stage road, on the borders of White Oak Swamp. The whole line was pro- 
tected by strong breastworks and redoubts. The necessary extent of the 
line left but few troops for supports. Casey's, now Peck's, sadly reduced 
division guarded Bottom Bridge, the railway bridge, and were assigned to 
other similar duty. Our line of battle on the right bank of the Chicka- 
hominy, as I have informed you, pressed so close to the rebel lines that 
neither could advance a regiment outside of their respective breastworks 
without provoking battle. 

On Wednesday, June twenty-fifth. Gen. MeClellan made the first dis- 
tinctly offensive movement, by directing Gen. Hooker to take up an ad- 
vanced position on Fair Oaks Farm, near the Williamsburg road. It 
provoked a sharp resistance, which we overcame, and accomplished our ob- 
ject. It is necessary to note this fact particularly, because it bears strongly 
upon the question whether Gen. McClellan had then distinctly contemplated 
changing his base of operations to James River — a perilous thing to attempt 
before ; more so now that we were still nearer the enemy. It was pro- 
nounced an " important achievement " by Gen. McClellan himself, because 
it gave him advantages over the rebel position which he had not enjoyed 
before. Some time during the night, however, tidings were received of a 
movement of Stonewall Jackson on our right wing. It was deemed haz- 
zardous to maintain the advantage of the previous day, and the line was 
ordered to resume its old position. Thursday afternoon the anticipated 
attack upon our right wing was made, and handsomely repulsed ; but it was 
discovered that it had not been made by Jackson's command. Information 
was received that Jackson was sweeping down the Pamunkey, probably to 
capture military stores at White House, to cut ofl" our communications with 
our water-base, and menace our rear. Orders were given at once to destroy 
all public property at White House and evacuate that point. Matters began 
to assume a critical appearance, and danger culminated in the disaster of 
Friday. It was then fully determined to " change the base of operations to 
James River." It seems to me this was compulsory. The enemy had 
turned our right, evidently outnumbered us in great disproportion, was too 



222 THE GKEAT BATTLES. 

strong in front for us to break through, and was in position to crush us in 
front and rear — and, perhaps, intended to strike on our left flank. Appar- 
ently his army was numerous enough for that grand combination. The 
retrograde movement was really begun Friday evening, by the transfer of 
headquarters from Trent's Bluff to Savage Station, but the grand exodus did 
not commence until Saturday, and did not swell into full proportions till 
nightfall of that day. The history of that movement will follow in due 
course. 

The reader being supposed to be familiar with the war-map, will now 
follow the course pursued by the army. In order to preserve the morale of 
the army as far as possible, and insure supplies of ammunition and subsist- 
ence, it was determined to carry through all the wagons loaded, and the 
ambulance train — making a mighty caravan — vastly increased by artillery 
trains. There was but one narrow road to pursue. It struck almost due 
south from the WDhamsburg road, through White Oak Swamp to the 
Charles City road, into which it debouched about eight miles from Turkey 
Bend in James Eiver. The course then lay up the latter road towards 
Richmond, where it struck a Uttle south-west by the Quaker road which 
terminated in New Market road, leading from Richmond. The river was 
bnt a short distance south, and Malvern Hill — a beautiful lofty bluff over- 
looking the river and commanding the surrounding country — being our 
goal. Although there was but a single road, with slight exception, it had 
the advantage of coursing through White Oak Swamp, upon which we 
might rely in some degree for protection of our flanks. There was great 
danger that the enemy might cut us off by moving columns down the 
Charles City, Central, or New Market roads, or all three, but these chances 
were necessarily accepted. Gen. McClellan acted upon the supposition that 
the enemy would not guess his determination until he was able to defeat 
their movements. At all events, it was the only hopeful course, because the 
enemy was watching for him on the left bank of the Chickahominy. The 
road was a narrow funnel for such a mighty torrent of trains and men, but 
fortunately it was smooth and dry. In order to make the movement suc- 
cessfully, it was necessary to fight at the outset, because it was morally 
certain that our line of battle could not be withdrawn from the front with- 
out sucking the enemy after them, so that due preparations were made. 
The events will now be recorded in their order, with as much of the spirit 
of the perilous enterprise thrown into the sketch as I have time to engraft. 
The affair at Fair Oaks Farm was the real beginning of the dreary drama. 
The Mechanicsville battle was the second act. A description is here given : 



-y 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES. 223 

BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE. 

"When I closed my last communication, (twenty-sixth June,) a fierce 
battle was raging on the left bank of the Chickahominy, on the east side of 
Beaver Dam Creek. Our extreme right wing, consisting of McCall's Penn- 
sylvania Reserves, eight thousand five hundred strong, with five batteries. 
were strongly intrenched there in admirable position for defence. Informa- 
tion, leading Gen. McClellan to expect an attempt upon his right, had been re- 
ceived during Wednesday night, and we were as well prepared for resistance as 
our limited- forces would admit. Gen. Fitz John Porter's corjis, consisting 
of Morell's division of volunteers, and Sykes's regulars, some five thousand 
strong, increased by Diiryea's Zouaves, was posted near New Bridge, within 
supporting distance. Gen. Stoneman had also been sent to Old Church with 
a regiment of cavalry and two of infantry as a corps of observation and to 
check flanking movements; or, if possible, to decoy the enemy down the 
Pamunkey. At about noon a powerful corps of the enemy, consisting of 
Gen. A. P. Hill's, D. H. Hill's, Longstreet's and Anderson's divisions — then 
supposed to be Jackson's force — under command of Major-General Robert E. 
Lee, crossed the river at Mechanicsville Bridge, Meadow Bridge, and at 
Atlee's, and between one and two o'clock attacked our flank. Two regi- 
ments of Meade's brigade (McCall's division) were in reserve, and one on 
picket duty. They did not at any time fully engage the enemy. Gen. 
Reynolds's brigade held the right, and Seymour's the left. The fight was 
opened with artillery, at long range, but the enemy, finally discovering our 
superiority in this arm, foreshortened the range, and came into close conflict. 
He was evidently provoked at his own inefficiency, since his sliell were not 
destructive in our intrenchments, while our gunners played upon his exposed 
ranks with fearfal effect. The fight seemed to increase in fury as it pro- 
gressed, and it finally became the most terrific artillery combat of the war. 
I had been accustomed for months to the incessant roar of lieavy guns, but 
until that period I had failed to comprehend the terrible sublimity of a great 
battle with field-pieces. The uproar was incessant and deafening for houis. 
At times it seemed as if fifty guns exploded simultaneously, and then ran 
off at intervals into splendid file-firing, if I may apply infantry descriptive 
terms to cannonading. But no language can describe its awful grandeur. 
The enemy at last essayed a combined movement. Powerful bodies of 
troops plunged into the valley to charge our lines, but our men, securely 
posted, swept them away ruthlessly. Again and again the desperate fellows 
were pushed at the breastworks, only to be more cruelly slaughtered than 
before. Meantime our force had been strengthened by Griffin's brigade, 
which increased the volume of infantry fire, and Martindale's brigade came 



224 THE GREAT BA.TTLES. 

up to be ready for emergencies. At dark it was evident the rebels had 
enough, much more than they bargained for. 

Their infantry fire had entirely subsided, and it was obvious that they 
were withdrawing under cover of their artiller_y. Our own batteries which 
had opened in full cry at the start, had not slacicened an instant. Compre- 
hending the situation fully now, the cannoneers plied themselves with tre- 
mendous energy to punish the retreating foe. We have no sure means to 
determine how many were slaughtered, but prisoners who were in the fight, 
and an intelligent contraband who escaped from Richmond the next day, 
and who was all over the field, are confident that three thousand fell. Our 
own loss was eighty killed and less than one hundred and fifty wounded. 
The conduct of our troops was admirable, and the gallantry of the officers 
conspicuous. Gen. McClellan was not in the battle, but was at Gen. Por- 
ter's headquarters until it terminated. 

It was now ascertained from prisoners that Stonewall Jackson had not 
joined Lee. Hence it was inferred that he was sweeping down the banks of 
the Pamunkey to seize the public property, and cut off our retreat in that 
direction. Gen. Stoneraan's command was moved swiftly down to watch 
operations there, and orders were issued for the removal or destruction of all 
public stores at White House. The situation, apparently placed on the sur- 
face, developed a troubled undercurrent. Gen. McClellan directed Gen. 
McCall to fall back and take up a new position in front of our miUtary 
bridges, to resist an attack which was anticipated next day, (Friday.) It 
was thought if the enemy was not successfully repulsed, he could be drawn 
across our bridges upon our own terms, v/here he could be roughly handled. 
The command was given to Gen. Fitz John Porter, who controlled the 
troops already mentioned, supported by a powerful train of artillery, regular 
and volunteer. 

Meantime all the trains and equipage of the right wing were withdrawn 
to Trent's Bluff, on the right bank of the river, during the night, and our 
wounded were conveyed to the hospital at Savage Station — to be deserted, 
alas I to the enemy they had beaten. All these facts indicated danger. But 
other evidences of it were not wanting. 

By daylight, Friday morning. Gen. McCall had fallen back in the rear of 
Gaines's Mill, and in front of Woodbury's Bridge, where he was posted, his 
left joining the right of Bufierfield's brigade, resting in the woods and near 
tlae swamps of the Chickahominy. Morell was on his right, in the centre, 
and Gen. Sykes, commanding five thousand regulars and Duryea's Zouaves, 
held the extreme right — the line occupying crests of hills near the New- 
Kent road, some distance east by south of Gaines's Mills. A portion of the 
position was good, but judicious generalship might have found a better, and 
especially it might have been amended by posting the left flank upon a 



THE riLVEN DAYS' BATTLES. 225 

swamp which was impassable beyond peradventure. Besides, the line was 
so disposed that it was next to impossible to use our artillery advantage- 
ously — the very arm in which we enjoyed undoubted superiority. Nothing 
definite had yet been heard of the enemy, but it was assumed that he would 
appear stronger than yesterday. Accordingly, Gen. Slocum's division 
(about eight thousand strong) was moved across the river to support Porter, 
although it was deemed hazardous, in consequence of a pending attack along 
our whole front. But there was no alternative; Gen. McClellan had only 
so much material, and it was imperative that he should use it according to 
unavoidable necessity. Thus far I carry the reader in this history. The 
story of the battle is narrated by a friend, to whom I had entrusted the 
right wing, to secure the benefits of a division of labor. He writes of the 

BATTLE OF G.VINES' MILLS, FRIDAY, JUNE 27th. 

The battle opened about one o'clock by skirmishing, particularly in 
front of Griffin's brigade, near the mill, and by an artillery attack from the 
battery planted in the orchard near the Gaines House. The enemy felt our 
position rapidly, and along the whole line at the same time, showing that 
he was in full force. By two o'clock there had been several conflicts 
between opposing regiments, without any particular result, save that our 
men steadily maintained their hue. About this time Gen. Griffin's brigade, 
whose front was covered by Berdan's sharp-shooters, advanced through to 
the edge of the woods toward Gaines' Mill and made the first important 
opening of the battle. The enemy at once replied. The Ninth Massa- 
chusetts, Col. Cass, a strong and brave regiment, with the Fourth Michigan 
and Fourteenth New York, had the principal position. The Sixty-second 
Pennsylvania took position on the extreme right, where the enemy appeared 
very strong. Weeden's Rhode Island battery, from position in rear of the 
woods, plied shell and solid shot with accuracy and effect. This was the 
earliest collision between our forces and the enemy. 

The action immediately began with vigor on the extreme right, held by 
Gen. Sykes' division, composed of Gen. Warner's, Col. Buchanan's and Col. 
Chapman's brigades. These brigades supported Weed's, Edward's and 
Tidball's batteries, all regulars. The enemy attacked very fiercely, charging 
repeatedly, but were as often repulsed. 

The enemy delayed their assault upon our left for some time, though 
Martmdale's brave fellows, who were exceedingly Avell posted, gave them 
several very destructive volleys, which caused them to recoil with shattered 
columns up over the hill, down which they had advanced. A brilliant 
episode occurred on the left of Martindale's brigade, where the Thirteenth 
New York and the fire-proof and scarred veterans of the Second Maine were 



226 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

posted. A brigade of Alabamians moved up over the crest of a hill in 
splendid style, even, steady and resolute, with arms at right shoulder shift, 
ready for a charge. " Up and at them," was the word along our line, and 
the two regiments which had lain concealed in the low grov^'th of timber in 
the valley, sprang to their feet, and one piercing, terrible volley of death- 
dealing Minies was poured into the ranks of the confident enemy. 

The gray-coats fled in terror and dismay, discharging only a few ran- 
dom shots, The range was so close that the whites of the eyes of the 
rebels could almost be distinguished. The hill was cleared as though swept 
by a hurricane. One of the regiments left their colors and battle-flag upon 
the field. The regimental color was secured by Colonel Roberts, of the 
Second Maine, and the battle-flag by Captain Sullivan, of the Thirteenth 
New York, who followed the retreating enemy and secured it. Captain 
SulHvan found the field literally covered with the rebel dead, there being 
over eighty near the sjjot where the colors fell. 

The gallant men of the famous Light Brigade, as already stated, had the 
important position of the extreme left of our line. Their right rested near 
the new-Bridge road, and their left extended into the woods, joining Mar- 
tindale's right. They were somewhat sheltered by a ditch-fence, and 
when in position looked up the hill through an open field, on the top of 
which the enemy took position. They formed in line of battle, the Forty- 
fourth New York supported by the Sixteenth Michigan, and the Eighty- 
third Pennsylvania by the Twelfth New York. (The Seventeenth New 
York, of this brigade, as noted elsewhere, had been sent on special duty to 
another point.) Allen's Massachusetts batteiy took up a position on the 
right of the brigade, and battered the enemy fiercely. 

The action had become general along the whole line. Stonewall 
Jackson's column had formed a junction with Lee, and soon attacked our 
right with great vigor and pertinacity, but he met a galling fire from Ed- 
ward's, Martin's and Weeden's batteries, which sent him reeling back in 
disorder. Again he gathered his columns, supported them by fresh troops, 
again advanced, extending his lines as if to flank our right, and renewed the 
attack with greater ferocity than ever, to be again repulsed with terrible 
slaughter. Sykes' regulars, and Warren's brigade, in which are the Duryea 
Zouaves and Bendix's Tenth New York regiment, played a brilliant part in 
this portion of the engagement, the Zouaves especially fighting with a 
desperation and tenacity only to be expected from such superior men. 
They suffered largely, their peculiar uniform being the especial mark of ten 
thousand rebel soldiers. 

The flank movement of the enemy against our right did not succeed. 
We extended our fine at the same time, and when Jackson was repulsed 



THE SEVEN TAYS' BATTLES. 227 

the third time, he -withdrew from that part of the field and did not renew 
the attempt. 

The tactics of the enemy were soon apparent. It was in massing troops 
and making sudden onslaughts on this and then on that portion of our 
columns, by which he expected to break them somewhere, and defeat if not 
rout us. His next movement was against our centre. Part of Jackson's 
column, re-enforced by a large body from Hill's division, now made a 
desperate onset against the centre, the North Carolina regiments being 
placed in front, and literally compelled to fight. Here the conflict was long 
and bloody, and raged for nearly two hours with great violence. The 
columns surged backward and forward, first one yielding and then the 
other. An idea of tb.e great magnitude of this portion of the fight may be 
obtained, when I say that this part of the line was successively re-enforced 
by McCall's reserves, the brigades of General Newton, Colonel Bartlett and 
Colonel Taylor, of Slocum's division, and it was not until the last fresh bri- 
gade was hurled against them that tliey were beaten back. In this part of 
the engagement we took about fifty prisoners, who said that in just that 
part of the engagement, the entire force of Longstreet's and Hill's divisions, 
and a part of Jackson's column, participated. Probably the most desperate 
fighting of the day took place upon this part of our lines and at this tifce. 
Here it was that we suffered our heaviest losses, and the field presented a 
most sanguinary hue. The fighting was principally done by musketry ; a 
thick pine woods intervening between ou; batteries and the enemy prevent- 
ing the former from getting the range of the latter. Many of our regiments 
suffered here to the extent of one-third of their men ; but nearly all of them 
stood their ground witli firmness, behaving most gallantly. Particularly was 
this the case with the Ninth Massachusetts, the Fourth Michigan, the Four- 
teenth New York, of Grifiin's brigade, tlie Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania, of 
General Newton's brigade, and the Sixteenth New York, of Colonel Bart- 
lett's brigade. The Sixty-second Pennsylvania, of Griffin's brigade, met an 
overwhelming force of the enemy, who took them on the flank, and, after a 
desperate resistance, they succeeded in repulsing the regiment, killing the 
Colonel — Samuel W. Black, and wounding Lieutenant-Colonel Sweitzer. 
The regiment broke and retreated, and was the first one to come off the 
field in disorder, the men frightened and panic stricken at the death of their 
beloved colonel. The regiment was not re-formed. 

Finding he could not force our centre, the enemy gradually threw his 
columns against our left, pressing Martindale's right wing very hard, where 
he met a gallant resistance from the Twenty-second Massachusetts and 
Second Maine regiments, as brave veterans as ever shouldered a muske:. 

Suddenly the everlasting roar of musketry increased in volume toward 
the extreme left, and the conflict seemed to grow fiercer than at any 



228 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

previous time. This was about six o'clock, and as I galloped over the field, 
I looked back and around upon the most sublime scene that the fierce 
grandeur and terrible reality of war ever portrayed. The thousand con- 
tinuous volleys of musketry seemed mingled into the grand roar of a great 
cataract, while the louder and deeper discharges of artillery bounded forth 
over those hills and down that valley, with a volume that seemed to shake 
the earth beneath us. The canopy of smoke was so thick that the sun was 
gloomily red in the heavens, while the clouds of dust in the rear, caused by 
the commotion of advancing and retreating squadrons of cavalry, was 
stiffling and blinding to a distressing degree. That memorable scene will 
never be effaced from my recollection, and it seemed most like a battle-field, 
of any representation, either real or upon canvas, that I ever saw. 

For one hour and a half, our left line withstood this terrible shock of 
battle. Brigade after brigade of the enemy was hurled against our devoted, 
daring, dying heroes. Butterfield, with hat in hand, rallied, cheered and led 
his men forward again and again. Though decimated at every discharge, 
losing heavily in ofEcers, and with an overwhelming force in front, they still 
continued to fight. The gallant Col. McLane and Major Nagle, of the 
Eighty-third Pennsylvania, fell death-stricken, while line officers were 
stricken down by scores, and men by the hundred. But they wavered 
not. "Without a single re-enforcement, from first to last, this gallant 
brigade fought on, cleared its front from the enemy time after time, 
until suddenly they found themselves out-flanked on the right, the enemy 
breaking through Martindale's left, and coming surging down the hill, 
to cut off and capture the strugghng brigade. They thus saw it was in 
vain to longer continue. The right was giving away rapidly, and black 
crowds of retreating men could be seen making their way toward the 
river. " Once more, my gallant men," cried the brave Butterfield, and 
rallying again, the men cut their way through the opposing host, which now 
assailed them in front, in flank, and in rear, and fell back upon the river, 
crossing upon the remains of Emerson's bridge, which had been blown up by 
our own forces during the fight, and gathering together their scattered 
columns in the camp of Smith's division, found that they numbered only 
fifteen hundred, with Lieut.-Col. James C. Kice, who had again signalized 
himself for heroic bravery, as the senior officer in command. A part of the 
brigade had been withdrawn by the right flank, and with them Gen. Butter- 
field, who, notwithstanding the thousand dangers that he risked, escaped 
unharmed, one bullet having passed through the rim of his hat, and another 
bent Iris sword double. 

When the left gave way, the centre and finally the right was also pressed 
back, and the retreating columns soon became mingled into one black masa 
of troops. The infantry supports having fallen back, Allen's, Weeden's. 



THE SEVEK DAYS' BATTLES. 229 

Hart's and Edward's batteries were left exposed, and all of them lost a part 
of their armament. Most of Martindale's brigade were rallied within thirty 
rods of the enemy, under a heroic call from Col. Roberts, of the Second 
Maine ; but he was not supported, and then continued to fall back with the 
troops. When the order to fall back reached the middle hospital — one of 
three houses about equidistant from each other, on the road to Woodbury's 
bridge — quite a stampede took place among the stragglers who had there 
congregated, most of them being men who had been detailed to bring in the 
wounded from their regiments, and who had failed to return. They made a 
rush for the bridge, followed by some of the troops, but before they reached 
the last hospital near the end of the bridge, they were speedily and sum- 
marily checked. About seven o'clock, Meagher's and French's brigades 
crossed the bridge, and advanced on the double-quick up the hill, forming 
in line of battle beyond the hospital, and swooping up the stragglers with a 
round turn. Griffin's and Martin's batteries likewise did splendid service 
in checking the advance of the enemy, pouring canister into their ranks with 
terrible effect. Probably the greatest carnage of this bloody day was pro- 
duced by the incessant discharges of double-shotted canister from the 
bronze Napoleons of Martin's battery. He had taken up a position in the 
hollow, between two small hills. The enemy advanced from the opposite 
side in solid column, on the double-quick, with arms at right shoulder shift, 
not being able to see the battery until they reached the crest of the hill, 
within a hundred yards of it, when Martin opened a bitter surprise upon 
them, sweeping them from the field like chafF before a storm. Twice 
again they formed and advanced, their officers behaving splendidly. But it 
was useless. Martin's fierce leaden rain being too terrible to withstand. 
The advance of the fresh troops having checked the enemy, and night 
coming on, the conflict ceased, and both parties quietly lay on their arms. 
The brigades of Gens. French and Meagher did not get into action. 
They formed in the rear of our broken columns, and did excellent service in 
checking the flight of many panic-stricken stragglers and demoralized troops. 
The enemy quickly perceived the arrival of those fresh troops, and being at 
the same time subject to a galling fire of canister from Griffin's and Martin's 
batteries, soon withdrew his lines into the woods whence he had issued, 
and quiet soon prevailed. But in almost less time than it takes to write it, 
a scene of indescribable excitement, of mingled confusion and direful dis- 
order had been obliterated — ^yes, literally crushed, and comparative order 
restored out of almost chaos, by the prompt, energetic and fearless action of 
brave officers. As the rushing and retreating tide began to pour preci- 
pitately towards the bridge, a dozen officers in my own sight drew their 
sabres and pistols, placed themselves in front of the straggling crowd, and 
by every device that physical and mental nature could invent, rallied and 



230 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

formed column after column of men from the broken mass that swept over 
the plain. 

There are some facts which my friend did not incorporate in his sketch. 
But there was no time or opportunity for him or others to indite history in 
the midst of pubhc distress. Calamity bi'ooded over all. Fcav had oppor- 
tunity to rest, not many could find wherewith to appease hunger, and mind 
as well as body was afQicted. Both were jaded and reduced. Losses we 
were obliged to estimate. Official reports there we^'e none. Of material, 
Fitz-John Porter's command lost twenty pieces of artillery, and the arms, 
with accoutrements, which belonged to men who were lost. Of dead, 
wounded and missing, there were seven thousand or upwards. Col. Ed- 
mund Pendleton, of a Louisiana regiment (Col. Pendleton formerly resided 
in Cincinnati), who was captured on Monday (June thirtieth), assured me 
that on that day the rebels captured four thousand five hundred prisoners. 
Our dead he estimated, from examination of the field, at three hundred. Of 
the wounded there is no account. It is reported that the rebel loss is still 
more awful. 

It is claimed that the battle was badly nian.''-red. This is no time for 
criticism ; besides, the data is not absolutely reliable. It is certain we were 
beaten in strategy and in grand tactics. Indeed, i am compelled to admit 
that the enemy there, as elsewhere, displayed ski' in the science of battles, 
which does not always distinguish our leaders. They seldom risk battle 
with insufficient forces, and they handle masses in a masterjy manner. Thus 
on Friday, while our men stood and fought in line for hours without respite, 
the rebel leaders incessantly rushed in fresh troops, relieving those who 
were jaded or beaten, so that it was painfully apparent, before our brave 
fellows gave way, that they must finally break before that ever-surging tide. 
One other error was perceptible. Our officers seemed to fight not so much 
to win victory as to display the courage and endurance of our soldiers. 
Instead of standing fast in secure cover of forests, that the enemy might be 
compelled to fight on our terms, they advanced into the open fields and 
were cut down by scores by the more crafty foe. But we were beaten. 
It was a melancholy satisfaction to know that we occupi(;d the field of battle 
after the conflict was ended. We had about thirty thousand men engaged, 
perhaps thirty-five thousand. The enemy had four divisions employed, 
besides Jackson's admirable army of thirty thousand to thirty-five thousand 
disciplined troops- 

We had fourteen batteries — eighty-four pieces — in the field, and often 
not half could be used to advantage. Martin's, Tidball's, and Weeden's 
were most serviceable. Tidball's was on the extreme right, and, to the 
enemy, was an object of special attention. Lieut. Dennison, son of Ex- 
Governor Denison. had charge of one section of the battery, and his captain 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES. 231 

complimented him for his conduct. The conduct of the entire force that day- 
was admirable. The regulars, who had previously complained of restraint, 
had full scope, and they re-established their ancient fame. 

Duryea's Zouaves, clad in crimson breeches and red skull-caps emulated 
their regular comrades, winning the admiration of the army. But they 
suffered terribly, their conspicuous uniforms drawing upon them an awful 
fire wherever they appeared in the field. But volunteers and regulars alike 
won glory on that bloody field. 

Meantime, while tumult raged over in the forest, excitement was 
scarcely less thrilling in front. Battle was imminent on the entire line all 
the day long. There were incessant flurries on the picket lines and no 
respite for any. Men stood in line of battle at the breastworks from day- 
break — well, they have been underarms and under fire ever since, as they had 
been during the twenty-seven preceding days and nights. The world never 
witnessed more devoted courage. 

Smith's division at Gouldin's, on the edge of Chickahominy valley, and 
Sedgwick's on his left, occupied the most sensitive points on the whole line, 
since Fair Oaks. They threatened the key of the rebel position before 
Eichmond. Hancock's and Burn's brigades held the most exposed lines. 
The former had taken a critical position in front of his intrenchments with a 
strong battery. It was altogether probable the enemy would attempt to 
drive him back. The afternoon was wearing away wearily without serious 
demonstrations, and we had begun to suspect the enemy of some sinister 
design in remaining so undemonstrative. It was probably four or five 
o'clock, however, when, without premonition, a strong force pressed strongly 
upon Gen. Burns' picket-line. He sent word instantly to Hancock to pre- 
pare for action. The latter was vigilant, but he had hardly received the 
message, before a rebel battery of heavy guns opened a furious storm of shell 
upon him. A moment later a strong brigade pounced upon his pickets, 
pressed them in irresistibly, and dashed at his battery. Burns was also at 
work. His pickets had fallen back to their strong supports, and a warm 
battle was in progress in the woods. The bullets rattled briskly among our 
camps, but the combatants generally remained invisible from the main line 
of battle. The scene was now exciting in the highest degree. Burns was 
working a dozen Napoleons and Parrots ; Smith's batteries were hurling 
shells fast and furious, and the rebel guns were bowling away as merrily. 
The air was filled with bursting shells and suffused with sulpherous smoke, 
while the forests were obscured with musket-mist. Our picket-reserves, 
held their ground manfully, and the enemy was briskly driven back, however, 
our lads yelling at them triumphantly. Hancock was victorious after a bitter 
fight, in which two Georgia regiments were almost cut to pieces. Our Loss, 



232 THE GKEAT BATTLES. 

though not half so great as that of the enemy, was not trifling. Among the 
prisoners captured by Hancock, was one of the smartest and most mis- 
chievous of Southern politicians, Col. J. Q. 0. Lamar, of the First Georgia 
regiment, once member of Congress. His lieutenant- colonel was also cap- 
tured. 

But apprehensions about Porter's battle had distressed officers all along. 
It seemed apparent that if the enemy defeated him, ruin threatened us from 
the rear. An attaclc in front indicated a disposition on the part of the rebels 
to force the issue Ave now deprecated. It was a grateful relief to drive them 
back in front so easily. All our supports had been sent to Porter. We had 
no more than men enough to hold the front. It would have been madness 
to have contended with an equal force of disciplined troops in front and 
rear. There would have been no alternative but hasty retreat at the sacri- 
fice of most of our equipage and the siege-train, with the butchery of 
thousands of our troops. 

By this time, sunset, tidings of a gloomy character had been received 
from Porter. Not much later the extent of our misfortunes was partially 
comprehended by officers. For the first time we heard a whisper of a seri- 
ous determination on the part of Gen. McClellan to " change his hase of 
operations (?) to James River." It was considered a most critical move- 
ment — especially under compulsion. You have already heard some, and you 
will hear many more explanations of this calamitous but necessitous plan, 
but I sincerely beheve it never would have been attempted but for the at- 
tack on our right wing. This question, however, will be the subject of con- 
troversy ; I shall, therefore, withhold consideration of it in detail until more 
favorable conditions offer. 

Even before Porter had been driven back, I was struck with the singular 
operations at general headquarters. I discovered that they were being re- 
moved to Savage Station, and a competent officer explained gravely that it 
was thought advisable to go there, although it was in the rear of our left 
wing. After dark there were other ominous symptoms; general officers 
confided to their staffs their fears of coming disaster. Even with the best 
disciplined troops, and under favorable auspices, to change a plan of opera- 
tions in the face of an enemy, is regarded by mihtary authorities as one of 
the most dangerous enterprises. In our situation it was a case of despera- 
tion. With our force, we could not hold our positions against an enemy in 
front and rear longer than supplies on hand would last. An attempt to cut 
through lines of intrenchments and powerful redoubts, defended by a numer- 
ous and desperate enemy, would have been madness. We had no hope of 
reenforcements. Besides, it was now too late for them to form a junction 
witli us, either by the Rappahannock route or by York River, since they 
would be cut ofi" inevitably. There was but one extremely perilous alterna- 



THE SEVEN DATS' BATTLES. 233 

tive. The army must fall back on James Paver. A hope was entertained 
that the enemy would be deceived into the belief that v/e designed to fall 
back to the White House. Preparations were according!}'- begun. Porter's 
command crossed the river without opposition. During the night, our 
bridges were blown up and the crossings were barricaded and defended. 
Keyes's line, which was on the extreme left resting upon White Oak 
Swamp, was prolonged, and our artillery and transportation trains were 
ordered to prepare to move forward. That night. Gen. Casey was also 
directed to destroy all public property at the White House that could not be 
removed, and to transport the sick and wounded to a place of safety, to re- 
tire himself, and I'ejoin the army on James Eiver. Friday night was thus 
actively and mournfully passed. The troops were ignorant of the status, 
and it was desirable to conceal the truth from them. It was feared the 
enemy might attack on Saturday, and every preparation was made to resist 
successfully. Our defeated right was disposed on Trent's Bluffs, where the 
enemy's crossing might be successfully opposed, and by daylight our main 
body of supports, after a severe night, resumed their original position. The 
night of Friday, June twenty-seventh, w\is gloomy, but it was felicity itself, 
compared with those of Saturday, Sunday, ]\Ionday and Tuesday. 

Saturday morning loomed upon us hotly and cheerlessly. Until nine 
o'clock not the sound of a hostile gun disturbed the dread silence. The 
profound stillness of morning became so oppressive that the dull report of a 
musket on the borders would have been comparati\'^ happiness. About 
nine o'clock this anxiety was relieved by an awful cannonade opened upon 
Smith's position from two forts in Garnett's field, a battery at Fitz John 
Porter's old position, and another below it, on the left bank of the Chicka- 
hominy, raking his intrenchments and compelling him to abandon the 
strongest natural position on our whole line. The fire was terrible. I can 
describe its lines fairly by comparing it with the right lines and angles of a 
chess-board. Smith fell back to the woods, a few hundred yards, and threw 
up breastworks out of range. The enemy content, with his success, 
ceased firing, and quiet was not disturbed again that day. The silence of 
the enemy was explained to me that night by a negro slave, who had 
escaped from his master at headquarters in Richmond. He said a despatch 
bad been sent by Jackson to Magruder, who remained in command in front 
of Richmond, expressed thus: "Be quiet. Every tiling is tvorking as well 
as we could desire /" Ominous words ! 

I now proceeded to Savage Station. I shall not attempt to describe the 
sombre picture of gloom, confusion and distress, which oppressed me there. 
I found officers endeavoring to fight off the true meaning. Anxiety at 
headquarters was too apparent to one who had studied that branch of the 
army too sharply to be deluded by thin masks. Other external signs were 



234 THE G 11 EAT BATTLES. 

demonstrative. The -wretched ppectacle of mangled men from yesterday's 
battle, prone upon the lawn, around the hospital, the wearied, haggard, and 
smoke-begrimed faces of men who had fought, were concomitants of every 
battle-field, yet they formed the sombre coloring of the ominous picture be- 
fore me. Then there were hundreds who had straggled from the field, 
sprawled upon every space where there was a shadow of a leaf to protect 
them from a broiling sun ; a hurry and tumult of wagons and artillery trains, 
endless almost, rushing down the roads towards the new base, moving with 
a sort of orderly confusion, almost as distressing as panic itself. But I ven- 
ture that few of all that hastening throng, excepting old ofiicers, understood 
the misfortune. Strange to say, that even then, almost eleven o'clock, com- 
munication with White House by railroad and telegragh was uninterrupted, 
but soon after eleven the wires suddenly ceased to vibrate intelligibly. 

From headquarters I passed along our lines. The troops still stood at 
the breastworks ready for battle ; but it was evident they had begun to in- 
quire into the situation. Some apprehensive officers had caught a hint of 
the mysteries which prevailed. The trains were ordered to move, troops to 
hold themselves in readiness to march at any moment. So passed that day, 
dreadful in its moral attributes as a day of jsestilence, and when night closed 
upon the dreary scene, the enterjjrise had fully begun. Endless streams of 
artillery-trains, wagons, and funeral ambulances poured down the roads from 
all the camps, and plunged into the narrow funnel which was our only 
hope of escape. And now the exquisite truth flashed upon me. It was 
absolutely necessary, for the salvation of the army and the cause, that our 
wounded and mangled braves, who lay moaning in physical agony in our 
hospitals, should be deserted and left in the hands of the enemy. Oh ! the 
cruel horrors of war. Do you wonder, my friends, that the features of 
youth wrinkle, and that the strong man's beard silvers soon, amid such 
scenes? The sfgnature of age indites itself full soon upon the smoothest face 
of warriors and those who witness war's cruelty. Ah ! well, another night 
of sorrow, without catastrophe. Officers were on horseback nearly all night, 
ordering the great caravan and its escorts. No wink of sleejj again ; no 
peace of mind for any who realized the peril of our country in those blank 
hours. 

At daylight. Gen. McClellan was on the road. Thousands of cattle, of 
wagons, and our immense train of artillery, intermingled with infantry and 
great troops of cavalry, choked up the narrow road already. Gen. SumnePs, 
Heintzelman's, and Franklin's corps, under Sumner's command, had been 
left to guard tlie rear, with orders to fall back at daylight, and hold the 
enemy in check till night. A noble army for sacrifice, and some, oh I how 
many, must fall to save the rest. The very shghtest movement from the 
iVont was critical. At no point along the Une were we more than three 



THE SEVEN DATS' BATTLES. 235 

fourths of a mile from the enemy, and in front of Sedg^vick's line they were 
not over six hundred yards distant. The slightest vibration at any point 
was apt to thrill the rebel lines from centre to wings. But fortunately, by 
skillful secrecy, column after column was marched to the rear — Franklin 
first, Sedgwick next, then Richardson and Hooker, and lastly the knightly 
Kearney. 

A mile had been swiftly traversed, when these splendid columns quickly 
turned at bay. The moment was most thrilling, most trying to stoutest 
nerves. The enemy, keen-scented and watchful, had discovered the retro- 
grade, and quick as thought were swarming through our late impassable en- 
tanglements, and came yelling at our heels like insatiate savages. Full soon 
our camps had hived countless numbers, and red battle began to stamp his 
foot. Gallant Burns was first to feel the shock. One of his favorite regi- 
ments — Baxter's Philadelphia Fire Zouaves — had been assigned to support 
a battery. As the enemy advanced it opened hotly upon them, but undis- 
mayed, they pressed to the charge. Burns held firm his men until thi. 
enemy seemed almost ready to plunge upon the guns. Then waving his 
sword, he ordered his trusty fellows to fire. A basketful of canister, fearful 
volleys of musketry, and all who were left of that slaughtered column of 
rebels fled howling to the rear. Fresh masses poured out and were sent 
surging back again, until finally they stood aloof, content to watch and wait 
a happier moment to assail that desperate front. Meantime, almost every 
vestige of cHmp-furniture, which had been left in camp, had been examined 
by the enemy with disappointment and rage. We had destroyed all we 
could not transport. 

Towards noon the line had retired several miles, and rested behind 
Savage Station, to destroy the public property which had accumulated there. 
A locomotive on the railway was started swiftly down the road, with a train 
of cars, and soon plunged madly into the Chickahominy, a mangled wreck. 
The match was applied to stores of every description, and annnunition was 
exploded, until nothing was left to appease the rebel appetite for prey. De- 
struction was complete, and the ruins were more touchingly desolate amid 
the mangled victims of war's ruthlessness, who lay on the hillside mourning 
the departure of friends Avith whom they had bravely fought. Would that 
such pictures could be sealed up in the book of memory, never to be opened 
to the human heart. Many a manly fellow has told me since that all human 
sorrow seemed condensed into that one woeful parting. If it were ever 
manful to shed tears, men might then have wept like Niobe. Let us draw 
the veil to hide the wounds more agonizing than rude weapon ever rent. 
Hundreds — I don't know how many — were left upon the green sward and 
in our too limited hospitals, to wait the cold charities of bitter enemies. 

The advance column and all that mighty train had now been swallowed 



236 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

in the maw of the dreary forest. It swept onward, onward, fas* and furi- 
ous like an avalanche. Every hour of silence behind was ominous, but 
hours were precious to us. Pioneer bands were rushing along in front, 
clearing and repairing our single road ; reconnoissance officers were seeking 
new routes for a haven of rest and safety. The enemy was in the rear 
pressing on with fearful power. He could press down flankivard to our 
front, cutting off our retreat. Would such be our fate ? The vanguard had 
passed White Oak Bridge and had risen to a fine defensive post, flanked by 
White Oak Swamps, where part of the train at least could rest How 
sadly the feeble ones needed it, those who having suspected their friends 
were about to abandon them, trusted rather to the strength of fear to lead 
them to safety, than to the fate which might await them at the hands of the 
foe. But the march was orderly as upon any less urgent day, only swifter — 
and marvellous, too, it seemed that such caravans of wagons, artillery, 
horsemen, soldiers, camp-followers, and all, should press through that narrow 
road with so little confusion. 

Two miles beyond the bridge the column suddenly halted. A tremor 
thrilled along the line. A moment more, and the dull boom of a cannon 
and its echoing shell fell grimly upon our ears. "Were we beleaguered ? 
An hour later, and there was an ominous roar behind. The enemy was 
thundering on our rear. I know that the moment was painful to many, but 
no soldier's heart seemed to shrink from the desperate shock. Back and 
forth dashed hot riders. Messengers here, orders there, composure and de- 
cision where it should he, with determination to wrest triumph from the jaws 
of disaster. As yet every thing had prospered, and at noon a brighter ray 
flashed athwart our dreary horizon. Averill — our dashing "Ashby" — had 
moved with the vanguard, met eight companies of rebel cavalry, charged 
them, routed them, pursued them miles beyond our reach, and returned in 
triumph with sixty prisoners and horses, leaving nine dead foes on the field. 
He explained it modestly, but I saw old generals thank him for the gallant 
exploit — not the first of his youthful career. Gen. Keyes had sent a section 
of artillery with the vanguard, Averill's cavalry escorting it. The rebels 
charged at the guns, not perceiving our cavalry, which was screened by 
thickets. The artillery gave them shell and canister, which checked their 
mad career. Averill charged, and horse, rider and all were in one red 
burial blent. Dead horses are scattered over that field, and dead men lie 
under the shadows of the forests. We lost but one brave trooper. 

Headquarters, which had tarried near the bridge, were now moved two 
miles beyond. Keyes's corps was forwarded, Sykes was guarding our 
flanks, Morell was moving behind Keyes, Fitz John Porter stood guard 
around the camp. Day was wearing away. An awful tumult in rear, as if 
the elements were contending, had been moving senses with exquisite 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES. 237' 

power. Foaming steeds and flushed riders dashed into camp. Stout Sum- 
ner was still holding his own. The enemy was raging around him like 
famished wolves. There seemed~to be a foe behind every tree; but tin' (ild 
hero and his gallant soldiers fought like lions. You could see the baleful 
fires of cannon flashing against the dusky horizon, playing on the surface of 
the evening clouds like sharp magnetic lights. Long lines of musketry 
vomited their fuirous volleys of pestilential lead through the forests, sweep- 
ing scores of brave soldiers into the valley of the shadow of death. And 
nature now, as if emulous of 'man's fury, flashed its red artillery, and rolled 
its grand thunder over the domes of Richmond, now miles to the right of 
us. Moment after moment elapsed before even practised soldiers could de- 
cide which was the power of God and which the conflict of man, so strangely 
similar were the twin reverberations. But the sharp glare of electricity re- 
corded the truth in vivid lines of fire. No combination of the dreadful in 
art and the magnificent in nature was ever more solemnly inr.^ 'jssive. 

Nothing struck me so keenly during all that gloomy day and more 
desolatQ night, as the thinly disguised uneasiness of those to whom the coun- 
try had entrusted its fate. It was well that soldiers who carry muskets did 
not read the agony traced upon the face of that leader whom they had 
learned to love. A few in that gloomy bivouac folded their arms to sleep, 
but most were too exhausted to enjoy that blessed relief. That dreadful 
tumult, but a few short miles in the distance, raged till long after the whip- 
poorwil had commenced his plaintive song. Late at night, couriers, hot from 
tlie field, dashed in with glad tidings. Sumner had beaten the enemy at 
every point, until they were glad to cease attack. The warrior was advised 
by Gen. McClellan to retire quietly to our main body ; but the old man, 
game as a king-eagle, begged to be permitted to drive the rebels home. 
Said a general to me : " Old Bull Sumner didn't want to quit. The game 
old fellow had to be choked oflf." 

That battle in the forests was a contest of desperation. A haughty and 
revengeful foe, confident in victory and numbers, pressed us to the wall, 
and that spirit of resistance which should inflame every array of the North 
against those who war upon constitutional hberty, met them hand to 
hand, steel to steel, and drove them to their dens. It was a Sunday battle. 

That night there was another strange meteorological phenomenon. I 
suppose it "was about midnight. The lights at headquarters were still 
blazing. The Commander was yet working with unyielding devotion ; aids 
Were still riding fast, but all else was silent. I had just fallen into slumber — • 
the first during two weary nights — when I was startled by Avhat we all 
thought was the terrific uproar of battle. Again and again it thundered, 
and rolled sublimely away otF on the borders of Chickahominy. For soma 
moments we feared the enemy had crossed the river behind our rear-guard 



238 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

raid was destroying our right wing in the darkness. Many who suspected 
they might be victims of a deUision — most natural in that critical period, 
when notliiug but the sound of cannon and musketry had been the most 
familiar sounds of our camps for months — criticised their senses sharply, but 
still the uproar was so wonderfully like battle, that we could not shake the 
opinion from our minds that a night-fight was going on. Five minutes 
elapsed, I suppose, before the ragged crown of a black cloud in the distance 
reared itself above the forests, and dispelled the gloomy deception. 

Morning beamed upon us again brilliantly but hotly. We thanked 
Heaven that it had not rained. The enemy had not yet appeared in our 
front. Summer had brought oflf his splendid command, Franklin was posted 
strongly on the south bank of White Oak Creek ; Heintzelman was on his 
left ; Keyes' corps was moving swiftly to James River, down the Charles 
City and Quaker road ; Porter and part of Sumner's corps were following 
rapidly. 

Moving to the rear to learn the fate of friends, the history of yesterday's 
bitter conflict was sketched for me in the haggard features of the weary men 
who had fallen exhausted in their forest bivouac. Brave old Sumner's 
face bore traces of the excoriating fire of battle, but his features were radiant 
with smiles. He was eloquent in his praises of his command. " Burns had 
borne '^he brunt of the fight, and he did it magnificently, sir." Sedgwick, 
who had been sick for days, had stemmed the torrent grimly. His first 
words were: "B., that was Burns' fight. He showed himself a splendid 
soldier. Let the \Vorld know his merits. He deserves all you can say." 
Sedgwick seldom praises men. But he is a gallant soldier himself, and he 
appreciates merit. I found General Burns stretched under a lofty pine, and 
his warriors were slumb ring around him painfully. His eyes were hollow 
and blood-shot, his handsome features pale and thin, his beard and his 
clothing were clotted with blood, his face was bandaged, concealing a ragged 
and painful wound in his nether jaw — it was enough to make a Sphynx 
weep to look upon the work of an awful day upon such a man. His voice 
was husky fi'om his exhortations and battle-cries, and tremulous with emo- 
tion, when, grasping my hand, he said with exquisite pathos : " My friend, 
many of my poor fellows lie in those forests. It is terrible to leave them 
there. Blakeney is wounded, McGonigle is gone, and many will see us no 
more. We are hungry and exhausted, and the enemy — the forest is full of 
people — are thundering at our heels. It is an awful affiiction. We will 
fight them, feeble as we are — but with what hope !" To know such a man ; 
to feel how keenly he realized the situation ; to watch his quivering lips 
and sad play of features, usually so joyous — friends! it was anguish itself. 
And there was a townsman of yours there, who won imperisable honor — 
William G. Jones, lieutenant-colonel, who but one short .Avcek ago took 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES. 239 

command of the First California regiment. He handled it like a veteran, 
and behaved like a Bayard. His new command, fired by his enthusiasm 
and daring- even beyond their old prowess, did deeds which Greueral 
Sumner himself said entitled them to the glory of heroes. So hot was the 
fight and so hot the work, that Jones once fell headlong from his horse, 
from exhaustion, but recovering soon, he resumed his sword and again led 
his gallant fellows to the charge. General Burns speaks so warmly of the 
devotion and heroism of George Ilicks, of Camblos, and Blakeney, and 
Griffiths, his staff and his colonels, Morehead, Baxter and Owens, their 
countrymen should know their worth. So Sedgwick speaks of his adjutant, 
Captain Sedgwick, and of Howe, his aid. So Sumner speaks of Clark, and 
of Kipp, and of Tompkins, and of all in his command. In that fray Sedg- 
wick's division lost six hundred men, and four hundred more of various 
corps are not among their comrades. General Brooks also was wounded in 
the right leg, but not seriously. The enemy first attacked at Orchard 
Station, near Fan- Oaks, in the morning, but were soon driven off. At about 
noon they returned in heavy force from the front of Richmond, while a 
strong column was thrown across Chickahominy, at Alexander's Bridge, 
near the railway-crossing. They first appeared in the edge of the woods 
south of Trent's, and opened upon our column on the Williamsburg road 
with shell. At the same time they trained a heavy gun upon our line from 
the bridge they had just crossed. They still seemed deluded with the belief 
that General McClellan intended to reti-eat to the Pamunkey, and all day 
long they had marched heavy columns from their camps in front of Richmond 
across New-Bridge, to strengthen Jackson still more. Happy delusion ! 

Their first shells exploded around and over the hospitals at Savage 
Station, but it is just to say it was not intentional. They next opened upon 
a cluster of officers, including Sumner, Sedgwick, Richardson, Burns, and 
their staffs, missing them fortunately, but covering them with dust. Our 
own batteries were now in full clamor, and both sides handled their guns 
skillfully. The object of the enemy seemed to be to break our right centre, 
and consequently Burns' brigade was the recipient of the principal share of 
their favor. As the afternoon wore away, the combatants drew closer 
together, and the conflict became one of the sharpest of the battles on Vir- 
ginia soil. Two companies of one regiment stampeded. General Burns 
flung himself across their track, waved his bullet-shattered hat, expostulated, 
exhorted, entreated, threatened, imprecated, under a storm of lead, and at 
last, throwing his hat in an agony of despair upon the ground, begged them 
to rally once more, and preserve them and him from disgrace. The last 
appeal touched them. The men wheeled with alacrity, and fought like 
heroes until the carnage ceased. Each regiment distingaished itself so 
tonspicuously, that in happier times their names will be inscribed in general 



"24:0 'THE GKEAT BATTLES. 

order. But there was such a number of regiments and officers engaged that 
the record would make a volume. Suffice it that none but those I expected, 
and who redeemed themselves subsequently, faltered in the fight. Sumner's 
corps held the field till Heintzelman's corps had retired, and then moved 
quietly and swiftly back, under cover or night and the forests, across White 
Oak Bridge. 

Our trains had now passed White Oak Bridge. Such an achievement, in 
such order, under the circumstances, might well be regarded wonderful. 
The retreat was most ably conducted. Until this day (Monday), the enemy 
seems constantly to have ojjerated upon the supposition that our army was 
intending to retire to the Pamunkey. They had been deluded into this 
belief by the Seventeenth New York and Eighteenth Massachusetts regi- 
ments, together with part of the First, Second and Sixth Regular cavalry, 
which had been sent out to Old Church on Thursday morning, to impress 
the enemy with that notion. (Par parenthese, they retired safely to York- 
town, and are now at Malvern Hill.) But our true object must now have 
become apparent, and it was vitally necessary to get the trains through 
before the enemy could push columns down the Charles City, Central and 
NeAV-Market roads. But until eight o'clock in the morning, we had no 
Isnowledge of any but the Quaker road to the point at which we now aimed 
— Hardin's Landing and Malvern Hill, in Turkey Bend. Sharp reconnois- 
sance, however, had found another, and soon our tremendous land-fleet was 
sailing down two roads, and our long artillery train of two hundred and fifty 
guns and equipments were lumbering after them with furious but orderly 
Sliced. So perfect was the order — although to an unpractised eye it would 
have seemed the confusion of Babel — that the roads were blockaded but two 
or three times. The topography of the country had now become such, that 
infantry could march through the woods in parallel lines on both sides of the 
trains, while White Oak Swamp fortunately protected our flanks from 
cavalry. We were getting on admirably, and it was apparent that the 
whole army would be safely in position before sunset, unless the enemy 
should attack. 

BATTLE AT WHITE OAK SWAMP. 

At about ten o'clock. General McClellan pushed to the river, com- 
municating with Commodore Rodgers, and had the gunboat fleet posted to 
aid us against the enemy. The case Avas desperate, but it was a relief to 
reach the river, Avhere we could turn at bay, with our rear protected by the 
James, and flanks partially covered by gunboats. Tidings, however, had 
been received that the enemy was pushing swiftly upon us in several 
columns of immense numbers, apparently determined to crush us or drive 
us into the river that night. They opened fiercely witli shell upon Smith'a 



THE SEVEN DAYS' B A.T T L E S . 241 

division at Wiiite Oak Bridge. After burning down the lionse of a good 
secessionist, and breaking his leg, tlie enemy extended his line of fire, and 
soon engaged our entire rear-guard, striking at Slocum, who Avas guarding 
against a flank movement designed to cut our column in twain. 

Long before this, our vanguard had debouched from the road into the 
field before Turkey Bend, and our reserve artillery was powerfully posted 
on Malvern Hill, a magnificent bluff covering Hardin's Landing, where our 
gunboats were cruising. Here was a glorious prospect. Though our 
gallant fellows were bravely holding the fierce enemy at bay to cover the 
swiftly escaping trains, it was clear our troubles were not ended. We had 
again deceived the enemy by going to Turkey Bend. He had imagined we 
were marching to New-Market, destined to a point on Cliff Bottom road, 
near Fort Darling. It was not far away, and the enemy was massing his 
troops upon us on the left and on our new front; for when we arrived at 
Malvern Hill, the wings of the army as organized were reversed, Keyes 
taking the right, Porter's corps the left, as we faced Richmond. Our line 
now described a great arc, arid there was fighting around three-fourths of 
the jDerimeter. 

General McClellan, who had already communicated with the gunboats, 
returned from the front to Malvern Hills, which were made his battle head- 
quarters, and dispositions for a final emergency were made. Fitz-John 
Porter was marched from the valley under the hill to his post on the western 
crest of the hill, where he could rake the plains toward Richmond. Our 
splendid artillery was picturesquely poised in fan shape at salient point?, and 
its supports were disposed in admirable cover in hollows betweeen undula- 
tions of the bluff. Powerful concentrating batteries were also posted in the 
centre, so that, to use the language of Colonel Sweitzer: "We'll clothe this 
hill in sheets of flame before they take it." It was a magnificent spectacle. 
The roar of combat grew tremendous as the afternoon wore away. There 
was no time then nor afterwards to ascertain dispositions of particular or- 
ganizations.. They were thrown together wherever emergency demanded. 
White Oak Bridge, the Quaker road, Charles City road, the banks of Turkey 
Creek, were enveloped in smoke and flame ; iron and lead crashed through 
forests and men like a destroying pestilence. A masked battery which had 
opened from the swamp under Malvern Hill, began to prove inconvenient to 
Porter. It ploughed and crashed through some of our wagons, and disturbed 
groups of officers in the splendid groves of Malvern mansion. The gunboat 
Galena, anchored on the opposite side of Turkey Island, and the Aroostook, 
cruising at the head of the island, opened their ports and plunged their awful 
metal into the rebel cover with Titanic force. Towards sunset the earth quiv- 
ered with the tei-rific concussion of artillery, and huge explosions. The vast 
aerial auditorium seemed convulsed with the commotion of frightful sounds. 



242 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

Shells raced like dark meteors athwart the horizon, crossing each other at 
eccentric angles, exploding into deadly iron hail and fantastic pafFs of smoke, 
until ether was displaced by a vast cloud of white fumes, through which 
even the fierce blaze of a setting summer's sun could but grimly penetrate. 
Softly pufiQng above the dark curtain of forest which masked the battle-field, 
there was another fleece which struggled through the dense foliage like 
heavy mist-clouds, and streaming upward in curious eddies with the ever- 
varying current of the winds, mingled with and absorbed the canopy of 
smoke which floated from the surface of the plains and river. The battle- 
stained sun, sinking majestically into the horizon behind Richmond, bur- 
nislied the fringe of gossamer with lurid and golden glory ; and as fantastic 
columns capriciously whiffed up from the woods, they were suddenly trans- 
formed into pillars of lambent flame, radiant with exquisite beauty, which 
would soon separate into a thousand picturesque forms and fade into dim 
capacity. But the convulsion beneath was not a spectacle for curious eyes. 
The forms of smoke-masked warriors, the gleam of muskets on the plains 
where soldiers were disengaged, the artistic order of battle on Malvern Hill, 
the wild career of wilder horsemen plunging to and from and across the field, 
formed a scene of exciting grandeur. In the forest where eyes did not 
penetrate there was nothing but the exhilarating and exhausting spasm of 
battle. Baleful fires blazed among the trees, and death struck many shining 
marks. Our haggard men stood there with grand courage, fighting more 
like creatures of loftier mould than men. Wearied and jaded, and hungry 
and thirsty, beset by almost countless foes, they cheered and fought and 
charged- into the very jaws of death until veteran soldiers fairly wept at 
their devotion. It w;is wonderful how our noble fellows fought; wonderful 
how their hearts swelled with greatness ; and, as the enemy, in very mad- 
ness at the terrible bitterness with, which they resisted, plunged fresh 
columns against them — one, two, three, /oMr,,^ve lines of battle, fresh men 
each time, and stronger than each predecessor, our glorious soldiers still 
fought and still repelled the revengeful foe. " History," said a general, 
" never saw more splendid self-immolation. It was agonizing to see the 
men stand in the ranks and fight till exhausted nature could do no more." 
At last deep darkness ended the fight. The enemy withdrew and sat him- 
self down to watch his prey. We had beaten him back. But the morrow I 
Would the enemy strike our ragged columns again ? 

Perhaps one of the noblest spectacles in martial history was improvised 
m Fitz-John Porter's camp, when his veteran volunteers were ordered to 
the battle-field. They had eaten nothing for thirty-six hours. Thursday 
some of them had fought. Friday they fought all day long and into night. 
That mght they marched across the river. Next day they marched again. 
That night they kept watch in White Oak Swamp. And Monday thev 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES. 243 

marched again. The fiery sun had parched their feet, hunger and thirst 
and labor had enfeebled their bodies, but Monday afternoon, when orders 
came to move again to the field, the color-bearers stepped to the front with 
their proud standards ; the drums beat a rallying rataplan, and those de- 
voted followers of the " banner of beauty and glory " swung aloft their hats 
and shouted with soul-stirring enthusiasm. The eyes of their generals 
flashed fire as their faces lighted up with sudden glory; and officers stepped 
together in clusters and swore solemnly that life should be sacrificed before 
that flag should fall. " My life," said one, " is nothing, if I have no country." 
And again the noble fellows shouted their war-notes. Weak as they were, 
I saw them move to the field at double-quick. When they fly, the army of 
the Potomac will be no more. 

Night seemed to bring a little more relief. The enemy could not press 
us then. But would he to-morrow? It was believed he was massing all 
his power to crush us in combined attack. Oh! that our soldiers could rest 
a day, even. Alas I they could not rest at niglit. Their salvation, it seemed, 
depended more upon their labor now than upon their guns. Into the 
trenches, ye braves, and work till morn summons you to battle. And so 
they labored, some dropping listlessly in the trenches, exhausted nature re- 
fusing to endure more. 

I cannot detail the battle of Monday. Brigades, and regiments, and 
companies, and fragments of each Avere fought as they could be used. It 
matters not who were here or there. It was a terrible battle. Gren. McCall 
was lost. Gen. Sumner was twice wounded, but not seriousty. His 
wounds were bound on the field, and he remained in the saddle and in the 
fiery torrent. Col. Wyman, too, of the Eighteenth Massachusetts, was 
killed. Gen. Meade was severely wounded. How many others I cannot 
tell. It was a bloody day. There will be weeping at many a hearthstone, 
and many a loved one was lost who will be sought for long and never found. 

Sumner, and Heintzelman, and Franklin, and Hooker, and Smith, and 
Sedgwick, and McCall — Hancock, and Davidson, and Meade, and Seyinore, 
and Burns, and Sickles, and Sully, and Owens, and dead Wyman, and all 
the galaxy of brave leaders, won title to glorious honors. They tell me that 
the rebel Gen. Longstreet was wounded and two other generals lay dead on 
the field, with long lines of rebel officers and hecatombs of men. Melan- 
choly satisfaction for such dead as ours. 

The enemy was beaten again, thank God ! beaten badly, driven back, 
slaughtered fearfully. The gunboats had at least a moral agency in the 
fight. It did not appear that their guns could do more than protect the left 
flank, which was much, and the enemy was shy of that point. 

Tuesday, the first of July, was not a cheerfu! day. The prospect was 
not happy. It was gloomy at headquarters. The troops were intrenching 



244 THE GREAT BATTLES 

the hill and standing to arms. The enemy were reported massing their forces. 
We were preparing to repel them. At noon silence was broken by hostile 
cannon in the extreme front. As afternoon wore away, the bombardment 
increased. At five o'clock there was a battle, and the Aroostook was hurling 
shell into the woods. At abont seven o'clock the firing was heavy, but it 
was confined to a narrow circle. Ayres was driving the enemy from his 
batteries. Our boat pushed from the landing. • At dark we moved from 
Harrison's Landing, seven miles below. The arm.y had not moved there; 
the trains had. Soon after we steamed into the channel, the bombardment 
grew heavier. The gunboats were thundering into the forests. 

When I left the prospect was cheerless. That night we met reenforce- 
ments. Before morning the army was strengthened. Pray God it was 
made strong enough to go to Richmond. 

This retreat of Gen. McClellau was masterly. He carried all that army 
and all his trains successfully through one narrow road, while encompassed 
by enemies two-fold as strong as his army. — Cincinnati Commercial. 




BATTLE OF ANTlETAM. 245 

BATTLE OF AKTIETAM. 

[iV. 2^ Tiihune Account^ 

Battle-Field of Aj^tietam, | 

Wed. Ev., Sept. 17, 18G3. ) 

Fierce and desperate battle between two hundred thousand men has 
raged since daylight, yet night closes on an uncertain field. It is the 
greatest fight since Waterloo — all over the field contested with an obstinacy 
equal even to Waterloo. If not wholly a victory to-night, I believe it is the 
prelude to a victory to-morrow. But what can be foretold of the future of 
a fight in which from five in the morning till seven at night the best troops 
of the continent have fought without decisive result? 

I have no time for speculation — no time even to gather details of the 
battle — only time to state its broadest features, then mount and spur for 
New York. 

After the brilliant victory near Middletown, Gen. McClellan pushed for- 
ward his array rapidly, and reached Keedysville with three corps on Monday 
night. That march has already been described. On the day following the 
two armies faced each other idly until night. Artillery was busy at inter- 
vals ; once in the morning opening with spirit, and continuing for half an 
hour with vigor, till the rebel battery, as usual, was silenced. 

McClcllau was on the hill where Beryamin's battery was stationed, and 
found himself suddenly under a rather heavy fire. It was still uncertain 
whether the rebels were retreating or reinforcing. Their batteries would 
remain in position in either case, and as they had withdrawn nearly all their 
troops from view, there was only the doubtful indication of columns of dust 
to the rear. 

On the evening of Tuesday, Hooker was ordered to cross the Antietam 
Creek with his corps, and feeling the left of the enemy, to be ready to attack 
next morning. During the day of apparent inactivity, McClellan, it may be 
supposed, had been maturing his plan of battle, of which Hooker's movement 
was one development. 

The position on either side was peculiar. When Richardson advanced 
on Monday he found the enemy deployed and displayed in force on a cres- 
cent-shaped ridge, the outline of which followed more or less exactly the 
course of Antietam Creek. Their lines were then forming, and the revela- 
tion of force in front of the ground which they really intended to hold, was 
probably meant to delay our attack until their arrangements to receive it 
were complete. 



246 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

During that day they kept their troops exposed and did not move them 
even to avoid the artillery-Rre, which must have been occasionally annoying. 
Next morning the lines and columns which had darkened corn-fields and 
hill crests had been withdrawn. Broken and wooded ground behind the 
sheltering hills concealed the rebel masses. What from our front looked 
like only a narrow summit fringed with woods was a broad table-land of 
forest and ravine ; cover for troops everywhere, nowhere easy access for an 
enemy. The smoothly sloping surface in front and the sweeping crescent 
of slowly mingling lines was all a delusion. It was all a rebel stronghold 
beyond. 

Under the base of these hills runs the deep stream called Antietam 
Creek, fordable only at distant points. Three bridges cross it, one on the 
Hagerstown road, one on the Sharpsburg pike, one to the left in a deep 
recess of steeply falling hills. Hooker passed the first to reach the ford by 
which he crossed, and it was held by Pleasanton with a reserve of cavalry 
during the battle. The second was close under the rebel centre, and no 
way important to yesterday's fight. At the third, Burnside attacked and 
finally crossed. Between the first and third lay most of the battle-lines. 
They stretched four miles from riglit to left. 

Unaided attack in front was impossible. McClellan's forces lay behind 
low, disconnected ridges in front of the rebel summits, all or nearly all un- 
wooded. They gave some cover for artillery, and guns were therefore 
massed on the centre. The enemy had the Shepherdstown road and the 
Hagerstown and Williamsport road both open to him in rear for retreat. 
Along one or the other, if beaten, he must fly. This among other reasons 
determined, perhaps, the plan of battle which McClellan finally resolved on. 

The plan was generally as follows : Hooker Avas to cross on the right, 
establish himself on the enemy's left if possible, flanking his position, and to 
open the fight. Sumner, Franklin, and Mansfield were to send their forces 
also to the right, co-operating with and sustaining Hooker's attack while 
advancing also nearer the centre. The heavy work in the centre was left 
mostly to the batteries, Porter massing his infantry supports in the hollows. 
On the left, Burnside was to carry the bridge already referred to, advancing 
then by a road which enters the pike at Sharpsburg, turning at once the 
rebel flank and destroying his line of retreat. Porter and Sykes were held 
in reserve. It is obvious that the complete success of a plan contemplating 
widely divergent movements of separate corps, must largely depend on 
accurate timing — that the attacks should be simultaneous and not successive. 

Hooker moved Tuesday afternoon at four, crossing the creek at a ford 
above the bridge and well to the right, without opposition. Pronting south- 
west, his line advanced not quite on the rebel flank but overkipping and 
threatening it. Turning off from the road after passing the stream, he sent 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 247 

forward cavaliy skirmishers straight into the woods and over the fields 
beyond. Eebel pickets Avithdrew slowly before therUj firing scattering and 
harmless shots. Turning again to the left, the cavalry went down'^n the 
rebel flank, coming suddenly close to a battery which met them with 
unexpected grape and canister. It being the nature of cavalry to retire 
before batteries, this company loyally followed the law of its being, and 
came swiftly back without pursuit. 

Artillery was sent to the front, infantry was rapidly deployed, and 
skirmishers went out in front and on either flank. The corps moved forward 
compactly, Hooker as usual reconnoitering in person. They came at last to 
an open grass-sown field inclosed on two sides with woods, protected on 
the right by a hill, and entered through a corn-field in the rear. Skir- 
mishers penetrating these woods were instantly met by rebel shots, but held 
their ground, and as soon as supported, advanced and cleared the timber. 
Beyond, on the left and in front, volleys of musketry opened heavily, and a 
battle seemed to have begun a little sooner than it was expected. 

General Hooker formed his lines with precision and without hesitation. 
Ricketts' division went into the woods on the left; in force. Meade with 
the Pennsylvania reserves formed in the centre. Doubleday was sent out 
on the right, planting his guns on the hill, and opening at once on a rebel 
battery that began to enfilade the central line. It was already dark, and 
the rebel position could only be discovered by the flashes of their guns. 
They pushed forward boldly on the right after losing ground on the other 
flank, but made no attempt to regain their hold on the woods. The fight 
flashed and glimmered, and faded, and finally went out in the dark. 

Hooker had found out what he wanted to know. When the fii-ing 
ceased, the hostile lines lay close to each other — their pickets so near that 
six rebels were captured during the night. It was inevitable that the fight 
should recommence at daylight; neither side had suffered considerable loss; 
it was a skirmish, not a battle. " We are tlu-ough for to-night, gentlemen," 
remarked the general, " but to-morrow we fight the battle that will decide 
the fate of the republic. 

Not long after the firing ceased, it sprang up again on the left. Gen. 
Hooker, who had taken his headquarters in a barn which had been nearly 
the focus of the rebel artillery, was out at once. First came rapid and un- 
usually frequent picket-shots, then several heavy volleys. The general lis- 
tened a moment and smiled grimly. " We have no troops there. The rebels 
are shooting each other. It is Fair Oaks over again." So every body lay 
down again, but all the night tlirougli there were frequent alarms. 

AlcClellan had been informed of the night's work, and of the certainties 
awaiting the dawn. Sumner was ordered to move his corps at once, and 
was expected to be on the ground at daylight. From the extent of the 



248 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

rebel lines develojDed in the evening, it was plain that they had gathered 
their whole array behind the heights and were waiting for the shock. 

The battle began with the dawn. Morning found both armies just as 
they had slept, almost close enough to look into each other's eyes. The left 
of Meade's reserves and the right of Ricketts's line became engaged at 
nearly the same moment, one with artillery, the other with infantry. A 
battery was almost immedately pushed forward beyond the central Avoods, 
over a ploughed field near the top of the slope where the corn-field began. 
On tins open field, in the corn beyond, and in the woods which stretched 
forward into the broad fields like a promontory into the ocean, were the 
hardest and deadliest struggles of the dayr 

Por half an hour after the battle had grown to its full strength, the line 
of fire swayed neither way. Hooker's men were fully up to their work. 
They saw their general every wliere in front, never a,\vaj from the fire, and 
all the troops believed in their commander, and fought with a will. Two- 
thirds of them were the same men who under McDowell had broken at 
Manassas. 

The half-hour passed, the rebels began to give way a little — only a little, 
but at the first indication of a receding fire, Forward, was the word, and on 
went tlie line with a cheer and a rush. Back across the corn-field, leaving 
dead and wounded behind them, over the fence, and across the road, and 
then back again into the dark woods which closed around them went the 
retreating rebels. 

Meade and his Pennsylvanians followed hard and fast — followed till they 
came within easy range of the woods, among which they saw their beaten 
enemy disappearing — followed still, with another cheer, and flung them- 
selves against the cover. 

But out of those gloomy woods came suddenly and heavily terrible volleys 
— volleys which smote, and bent, and broke in a moment that eager front, and 
hurled them swiftly back for half the distance they had won. Not swiftly, 
nor in panic, any further. Closing up their shattered lines, they came slowly 
away; a regiment where a brigade had been; hardly a brigade where a 
whole division had been victorious. They had met at the woods the first 
volleys of musketry from iresh troops — had met them and returned them till 
their line had yielded and gone down down before the Avcight of fire, and 
till their ammunition was exhausted. 

In ten minutes the fortune of the day seemed to have changed ; it was 
the rebels now who were advancing, pouring out of the woods in endless 
lines, sweeping through the coiii-ficld fi-om which their comrades had jusl- 
fled. Hooker sent in his nearest brigade to meet them, but it could not do 
the work. He called for another. There was nothing close enough, unless 
he took it from his right. His right might be in danger if it was weakened, 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 249 

but his centre was already threatened with annihilation. Not hesitating one 
moment, he sent to Doubleday : " Give me your best brigade instantly." 

The best brigade came dov/n the hill to the right on the run, went 
through the timber in front through a storm of shot and bursting shell and 
crushing limbs, ovev the open field beyond and straight into the corn-field, 
passing as they went the fragments of three brigades shattered by the rebel 
fire and streaming to the rear. They passed by Hooker, whose eyes lighted 
as he saw these veteran troops, led by a soldier whom he knew he could 
trust. " I think they will hold it," he said. 

Gen. Hartsuff took his troops very steadily, but, now that they were 
under fire, not hurriedly, up the hill from which the corn-field begins to de- 
scend, and formed them on the crest. Not a man who was not in full view 
— not one who bent before the storm. Firing at first in volleys, they fired 
then at will with wonderful rapidity and effect. The whole line crowned 
the hill and stood out darkly against the sky, but lighted and shrouded ever 
in flame and smoke. They were the Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts 
and another regiment which I cannot remember — old troops all of them. 

There for half an hour they held the ridge, unyielding in purpose, ex- 
haustless in courage. There were gaps in the line, but it nowhere bent. 
Their general was severely wounded early in the fight, but they fought on. 
Their supports did not come — they determined to win without them. They 
began to go down the hill and into the corn ; they did not stop to think that 
their ammunition was nearly gone ; they were thei-e to win that field, and 
they won it. The rebel line for tlie second time fled through the corn and 
into the woods. I cannot tell how few of Hartsuff"'s brigade were left when 
the work was done, but it was done. There was no more gallant, deter- 
mined, heroic fighting in all this desperate day. Gen. Hartsuff" is very 
severely wounded, but I do not believe he counts his success too dearly 
purchased. 

The crisis of the fight at this point had arrived. Rickett's division, 
vainly endeavoring to advance and exhausted by the effort, had fallen back. 
Part of Mansfield's corps was ordered in to their relief, but Mansfield's 
troops came back again, and their general was mortally wounded. The left 
nevertheless was too extended to be turned, and too strong to be broken. 
Rickett sent word he could not advance, but could hold his ground. 
Doubleday had kept his guns at work on the right, and had finally silenced 
a rebel battery that for half an hour poured in a galHug enfilading fire along 
Hooker's central line. There were woods in front of Doubleday's hill which 
the rebels held, but so long as those guns pointed towards them they did 
not care to attack. 

With his left, then, abie to take care of itself, with his right impregnable, 
with two brigades of Mansfield still fresn and coming rapidly up, and with 



250 THE GEEAT BATTLES. 

his centre a second time victorious, Gen. Hooker determined to advance. 
Ordei-s were sent to Crawford and Gordon — the two Mansfield brigades — to 
move forward at once, the batteries in the centre were ordered to advance, 
the whole line was called on, and the general himself went forward. 

To the right of the corn-field and beyond it was a point of woods. Once 
carried and firmly held, it was the key of the position. Hooker deteriraned 
to take it. He rode out in front of his furthest troops on a hill to examine 
the ground for a jattery. At the top he dismounted and went forward on 
foot, completed his reconnoissance, returned, and remounted. The musketry 
fire from the point of woods was all the while extremely hot. As he put 
his foot in the stirrup a fresh volley of rifle bullets came whizzing by. The 
tall, soldierly figure of the general, the white liorse which he rode, the ele- 
vated place where he was, all made him a most dangerously conspicuous 
mark. So he had been all day, riding often without a staff-officer or an 
orderly near him — all sent off on urgent duty — visible every where on the 
field. The rebel bullets had followed him all day, but they had not hit him, 
and he would not regard them. 

Remounting on this hill, he had not ridden five steps when he was 
struck in the foot by a ball. Three men were shot down at the same mo- 
ment by his side. The air was alive with bullets. He kept on his horse a 
few minutes, though the wound was severe and excessively painful, and 
v/ould not dismount till he had given his last order to advance. He was 
himself in the very front. Swaying unsteadily on his horse, he turned in 
his seat to look about liim. " There is a regiment to the right. Order it 
forward ! Crawford and Gordon are coming up. Tell them to carry those 
woods and hold them — and it is our fight !" 

It was found that the bullet had passed completely through his foot. 
The surgeon who examined it on the spot could give no opinion whether 
bones were broken, but it was afterward ascertained that though grazed 
they were not fractured. Of course the severity of the wound made it im- 
possible for him to keep the field, which he believed already won, so far as 
it belonged to him to win it. It was nine o'clock. The fight had been 
furious since five. A large part of his command was broken, but with his 
right still untouched, and with Crawford's and Gordon's brigades just up ; 
above all, with the advance of the whole central line, which the men had 
heard ordered with cheers, and with a regiment already on the edge of the 
woods he wanted, he might well leave the field, thinking the battle was 
won — that his battle was Avon, for I am writing only about the attack on 
the rebel left. 

I see no reason why I should disguise my admiration of Gen. Hooker's 
bravery and soldierly ability. Remaining nearly all the morning on the 
right, I could not help seeing the sagacity and j^romptness of his movements 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM, 251 

how complotcly his troops were kept in hand, how devotedly they trusted 
him, how keen was hia insight into the battle, how every opportunity was 
seized and every reverse was checked and turned into another success. I 
say this the more unreservedly, because I have no personal relation Avhat- 
ever with him, never saw him till the day before the fight, and don't like 
his politics or opinions in general. But what are politics in such a battle ? 

Sumner arrived just as Hooker was leaving, and assumed command. 
Crawford and Gordon had gone into the woods, and were holding them 
stoutly against heavy odus. As I rode over toward the left I met Sumner 
at the head of his column, advancing rapidly through the timber, opposite 
where Crav/ford was fighting. The veteran general was riding alone in the 
forest, far ahead of his leading brigade, his hat off, his grey hair and beard 
and moustache strangely contrasting with the fire in his eyes and his martial 
air, as he hurried on to v/hcre the bullets were thickest. 

Sedgwick's division was in advance, moving forward to support Craw- 
ford and Gordon. Rebel reenforcements were approaching also, and the 
struggle for the roads was again to be renewed. Sumuer sent forward two 
divisions — Eichardson and French — on the left. Sedgwick, moving in 
column of divisions through the woods in rear, deployed and advanced in 
line over the corn-field. There was a broad interval between him and the 
nearest division, and he saw that if the rebel line were complete, his own 
division was in immediate danger of being flanked. Eut his orders were to 
advance, and those are the orders which a soldier — and Sedgwick is every 
inch a soldier — loves best to hear. 

To extend his own front as far as possible, he ordered the Thirtj^-fourth 
New York to move by the left flank. The manoeuvre was attempted under 
a fire of the greatest intensity, and the regiment broke. At tlie same mo- 
ment the enemy, perceiving their advantage, came round on that flank. 
Crawford was obliged to give way on the right, and his troops pouring in 
confusion through the ranks of Sedgwick's advance brigade, threw it into 
disorder and back on the second and third lines. The enemy advanced, 
their fire increasing. 

Gen. Sedgwick was three times wounded, in the shoulder, leg and wrist, 
but he persisted in remaining on the field so long as there was a chance of 
saving it. His adjutant-general. Major Sedgwick, bravely rallying and 
trying to re-form the troops, was shot through the body, the bullet lodging 
in the spine, and fell from his horse. Severe as the wound is, it is probably 
not mortal. Lieut. Howe, of Gen. Sedgwick's staft', endeavored vainly to 
rally the Thirty-fourth New York. They were badly cut up and would not 
stand. Half their officers were killed or wounded, their colors shot to 
pieces, the color-sergeant killed, every one of the color-guard wounded.. 
Onlv l!iiri'>'-two were afterward got together. 



252 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

The Fifteenth Massachusetts went into action with seventeen officers and 
nearly six hundred men. Nine officers were l-ciiled or wounded, and sorao. 
of the latter are prisoners. Oapt. Simons, Capt. Saunders, of the sharp- 
shooters, Lieut. Derby, and Lieut. Berry are killed. Capt. Bartleit and 
Capt. Jocelyn, Lieut. Spurr, Lieut. Gale, and Lieut. Bradiey are Avounded. 
One hundred and thirty -four men were tlie only remains that could be col- 
lected of this splendid regiment. 

Gen. Dana was wounded. Gen. Howard, who took command of the 
division after 'Gen. Sedgwick was disabled, exerted himself to restore order; 
but it could not be done there. Gen. Sumner ordered the line to be re- 
formed. The test was too severe for volunteer troops under such a fire. 
Sumner himself attempted to arrest the disorder, but to little purpose. 
Lieut. Col. Revere and Capt. Audenried of his staff were wounded severely, 
but not dangerously. It was impossible to hold the position. Gen. 
Sumner withdrew the division to the rear, and once more the corn-field was 
abandoned to the enemy. 

Trench sent word he could hold his ground. Eichardson, while gallantly 
leading a regiment u-nder a heavy fire, was severely wounded in the 
shoulder. Gen. Meagher was wounded at the head of his brigade. The 
loss in general officers was becoming frightful. 

At one o'clock affairs on the right had a gloomy look. LEooker's troops 
were greatly exhausted, and their general away from tlae field. Mansfield's 
'were no better. Sumner's command had lost heavily, but two of his 
divisions Avere still comparatively fresh. Artillery was yet playing vigor- 
ously in front, though the ammunition of many of the batteries was entirely 
exhausted, and they had been compelled to retire. 

Doubleday held the right inflexibly. Sumner's headquarters were now 
in the narrow field where the night before Hooker had begun the fight. All 
that had been gained in front had been lost! The enemy's batteries, which 
if advanced and served vigorously might have made sad work with the 
closely-massed troops, were fortunately either partially disabled or short of 
ammunition. Sumner was confident that he could hold his own, but another 
advance was out of the question. The enemy, on the other hand, seemed to 
be too much exhausted to attack. 

At this crisis Franklin came up with fresh troops and formed on the left. 
Slocum, commanding one division of the corps, was sent forward along the 
slopes lying under the first ranges of the rebel hills, while Smith with the 
other division was ordered to retake the corn-fields and w'oods which all 
day had been so hotly contested. It was done in the handsomest style. 
His Maine and Vermont regiments and the rest went forward on the run, 
and cheering as they went, swept like an avalanche through the corn-fields, 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 253 

fell upon the woods, cleared them in ten minutes, and held them. They 
were not again retaken. 

The field and its ghastly harvest ■which the Reaper had gathered in those 
fatal hours remained finally with us. Four times it had been lost and won. 
The dead are strewn so thickly that as you ride over it you cannot guide 
your horse's steps too carefully. Pale and bloody faces are everywhere up- 
turned. They are sad and terrible, but there is nothing which makes one's 
heart beat so quickly as the imploring look of sorely wounded men who 
beckon weaiily for help which you cannot stay to give. 

Gen. Smith's attack was so sudden that his success was accomplished 
with no great loss. He had gained a point, however, which compelled liim 
to expect every moment an attack, and to hold which, if the enemy again 
brought up reserves, would task his best energies and best troops. But the 
long strife, the heavy losses, incessant fighting over the same ground 
repeatedly lost and won inch by inch, and moi'e than all, perhaps, tjie fear 
of Burnside on the left and Porter in front, held the enemy in check. For 
two or three hours there was a lull even in the cannonade on the right, 
which hitherto had been incessant. McClellan had been over on the field 
after Sumner's repulse, but had speedily returned to his headquarters. 
Sumner again sent Avord that he was able to hold his position, but could not 
advance with his own corps. 

Meanwhile where was Burnside, and what was he doing ? On the right 
where I had spent the day until two o'clock, httle was known of the general 
fortunes of the field. We had heard Porter's guns in the centre, but nothing 
from Burnside on the left. The distance was, perhaps, too great to distin- 
guish the sound of his artillery from Porter's. There was no immediate 
prospect of more fighting on the right, and I left the field which all day long 
had seen the most obstinate contest of the war, and rode over to McClellan's 
headquarters. The different battle-fields were shut out from each other's 
view, but all partially visible fi-om the central hill which Gen. McClellan had 
occupied during the day. But I was more than ever impressed, on return- 
ing, with the completely deceitful appearance of the ground the rebels had 
chosen, when vieAved from the front. 

Hooker's and Sumner's struggle had been carried on over an uneven and 
wooded surface, their own line of battle extending in a semi-circle not less 
than a mile and a half. Perhaps a better notion of their position can be got 
by considering their rigiit, centre, and left as forming three sides of a square. 
So long, therefore, as either wing was driven back, the centre became 
exposed to a very dangerous enfilading fire, and the further the centre was 
advanced the worse ofi" it was, unless the lines on its side and rear were 
firmly held. This formation resulted originally from the efforts of the enemy 
to turn both flanks. Hooker at the very outset threw his column so far into 



254 V THE GREAT BATTLES. 

the heart of the rebel hnes tliat they were compelled to threaten han on the 
flank to secure their own centre. 

Nothing of all this was perceptible from the hills in front. Some direc- 
tions of the rebel lines had been disclosed by the smoke of their guns, but 
the whole interior formation of the country beyond the hills was completely 
concealed. When McClellan arranged his order of battle, it must have been 
upon information, or have been left to his corps and division commanders to 
discover for themselves. 

Up to three o'clock Burnside had made little progress. His attack on 
the bridge had been successful, but the delay had been so great that to the 
observer it appeared as if McClellan's plans must have been seriously disar- 
ranged. It is impossible not to suppose that the attacks on right and left 
were meant in a measure to correspond, for otherwise the enemy had only 
to repel Hooker on the one hand, then transfer his troops, and push them 
against Burnside. 

Here was the difference between Smith and Biirnside. The former did 
his work at once, and lost all his men at once — that is, all whom he lost at 
all ; Burnside seems to have attacked cautiously ' i order to save his men, 
and sending successively insufficient forces against a position of strength, 
distributed his loss over a greater period of time, but yet lost none the less 
in the end. 

Finally, at ibur o'clock, McClellan sent simultaneous orders to Burnside 
and Franklin — to the former to advance and carry the batteries in his front 
at all hazards and at any cost ; to the latter to carry the woods next in 
front of him to the left, which the rebels still held. The order to Franklin, 
however, was practically countermanded, in consequence of a message from 
Gen. Sumner that if Franklin went on and was repulsed, his own corps was 
not yet sufficiently reorganized to be depended on as a reserve. Franklin, 
thereupon, was directed to run no risk of losing his present position, and 
instead of sending his infantry into the woods, contented himself with ad- 
vancing his batteries over the breadth of the fields in front, supporting them 
with heavy columns of inlimtry, and attacking with energy the rebel bat- 
teries immediately opposed to him. His movement was a success, so far as 
it went, the batteries maintaining their new ground, and sensibly affecting 
the steadiness of the rebel fire. That being once accomplished, and all 
hazard of the right being again forced back having been dispelled, the move- 
ment of Burnside became at once the turning-point of success, and the fate 
of the day depended on him. 

How extraordinary the situation was may be judged from a moment's 
consideration of the facts. It is understood that from the outset Burnside'« 
attack was expected to be decisive, as it certainly must have been if things 
went well elsewhere, and if he succeeded in establishing himself on the 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 255 

Sharpsbiircf road in the rebel rear. Tet Hooker and Sumner and Franklin 
and Mansfield were all sent to the right tliree miles away, while Porter 
seems to have done double duty with his single corps in front, both sup- 
porting the batteries and holding himself in reserve. With all this immense 
force on the right, but sixteen thousand men were given to Burnside for the 
decisive movement of the day. 

Still more unfortunate in its results was (he total failure of these separate 
attacks on the right and left to sustain, or in any manner cooperate with 
each other. Burnside hesitated for hours in front of the bridge, which 
should have been carried at once by a coup de main. Meantime Hooker 
had been fighting for four hours with various fortune, but final success. 
Sumner had come up too late to join in tlie decisive attack which his earlier 
arrival would probably have converted into a complete success ; and Frank- 
lin reached the scene only when Sumner had been repulsed. Probably be- 
fore bis arrival the rebels had transferred a considerable number of troops to 
their right to meet the attack of Burnside, the direction of which was then 
suspected or developed. 

Attacking first with one regiment, then with two, and delaying both for 
artillery, Burnside was not over the bridge before two o'clock — perhaps ijot 
till three. He advanced slowly up the slopes in his front, his batteries in 
rear covering, to some extent, the movements of the infantry. A desperate 
fight was going on in a deep ravine on his right ; the rebel batteries were in 
full play and apparentlj'' very annoying and destructive, while iieavy columns 
of rebel troops were plainly visible, advancing, as if careless of concealment, 
along the road and over the hills in the direction of Burnside's forces. It 
was at this point of time that McClellan sent him the order above given. 

Burnside obeyed it most gallantly. Getting his troops well in hand, and 
sending a portion of his artillery to the front, he advanced with rapidity 
and the most determined vigor straight up the hill in front, on top of which 
the rebels had maintained their most dangerous- battery. The movement 
was in plain view of McClellan's position, and as Franklin on the other 
side sent bis batteries into the field about the same time, the battle seemed 
to open in all directions with greater activity than ever. 

The fight in the ravine was in full progress, the batteries in the centre 
were filling with new vigor, Franklin was blazing away on the right, and 
everj'- hill-top, ridge and woods along the whole line was crested and veiled 
with Avhite clouds of smoke. All day had been clear and bright since the 
early cloudy morning, and now tliis whole magnificent, unequalled scene 
shone with the splendor of an afternoon September sun. Four miles of 
battle, its glory all visible, its horrors all hidden, the fate of the Republic 
hanging on the hour — could any one be insensible of its grandeur? 

There are two hills on the left of the road, the farthest the lowest. The 



266 THE GKEAT BATTLES. 

rebels have batteries on both. Burnside is ordered to carry the nearest to 
him, Avhich is the farthest from tlie road. His guns opening first from this 
new position in front, soon entirely controlled and silenced the enemy's 
artillery. The infantry came on at once, advancing rapidly and steadily ; 
their long, dark lines and broad masses plainly visible without a glass as they 
moved over the green hill-side. 

The next moment the road in which the rebel battery was planted was 
canopied with clouds of dust swiftly descending into the valley. Under- 
neath was a tumult of wagons, guns, horses, and men, flying at speed down 
the road. Blue flashes of smoke burst now and then among them, a horse 
or a man or half a dozen went down, and then the whirlwind swept on. 

The hill was carried, but could it be held ? The rebel columns, before 
seen moving to the left, increase their pace. The gims on the hill above 
send an angry tempest of shell down among Burnside's guns and men. He 
has formed his columns apparently in the near angles of two fields bordering 
the road — high ground about them every where except in rear. 

In another moment a rebel battle-hne appeal's on the brow of the ridge 
above thom, moves swiftly down in the most perfect order, and though 
mgt by incessant discharges of musketry, of which we plainly see the 
flashes, does not fire a gun. White spaces show where men ai-e falling, but 
they close up instantly, and still the hne advances. The brigades of Burn- 
side are in heavy columns ; they will not give way before a bayonet-charge 
in line, and the rebels think twice before they dash into those hostile masses. 

There is a halt, the rebel left gives way and scatters over the field, the 
rest stand fast and fire. More infantry comes up; Burnside is outnumbered, 
flanked, compelled to yield the hill he took so bravely. His position is no 
longer one of attack ; he defends himself with unfaltering firmness, but he 
sends to McClellan for help. 

McClellan's glass for the last half-hour has seldom been turned away 
from the left. He sees clearly enough that Burnside is pressed — needs no 
messenger to tell him that. His face grows darker with anxious thought. 
Looking down into the valley where fifteen thousand troops are lying, he 
turns a half-questioning look on Fitz-John Porter, who stands by his side, 
gravely scanning the field. They are Porter's troops below, are fresh and only 
impatient to share in this fight. But Porter slowly shakes his head, and one 
may beUeve that the same thought is passing through the minds of both 
generals. " They are the only reserves of the army ; they cannot be spared." 

McClellan remounts his horse, and with Porter and a dozen officers of 
his staff rides away to the left in Burnside's direction. Sykes meets them 
on the road — a good soldier, whose opinion in worth taking. The three 
generals talk briefly together. It is easy to see that the moment has come 
when every thing may turn on one order given or withheld, when the his- 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. ■ 257 

tory of tne battle is only to be ■written in thoughts and purposes and words 
of the general. 

Burnside's messenger rides up. His message is: "I want troops raid 
•guns. If you do not send them, I cannot hold my position half an hour." 
McClellan's only answer for the moment is a glance at the western sky. 
Then he turns and speaks very slowly : " Tell Gen. Burnside this is the bat- 
tle of the war. He must hold his ground till dark at any cost. I will send 
bim Miller's battery. I can do nothing more. I have no infantry." Then 
as the messenger was riding away he called him back. " Tell him if he can- 
not hold his ground, then the bridge, to the last man ! — always the bridge ! 
If the bridge is lost, all is lost." 

The sun is already down; not half an hour of daylight is left. Till Burn- 
side's message came it had seemed plain to every one that the battle could 
not be finished to-day. None suspected how near was the peril of defeat, 
of sudden attack on exhausted forces — how vital to the safety of the army 
and the nation were tiiose fifteen thousand waiting ti-oops of Fitz-John 
Porter in the hollow. But the rebels halted instead of pushing on; their 
vindictive cannonade died away as the light faded. Before it was quite 
dark the battle was over. Only a solitary gun of Burnside's thundered 
against the enemy, and presently this also ceased, and the field was still. 

The peril came very near, but it has passed and in spite of the peril, at 
the close the day was partly a success ; not a victory, out an advantage had 
been gained. Hooker, Sumner, and Franklin held all the ground they 
had gained, and Burnside still held the bridge and his position beyond. Every 
thing was favorable for a renewal of the fight in the morning. If the plan of 
the battle is sound, there is every reason why McClellan should win it. 

He may choose to postpone the battle to await his reenforceraents. The 
rebels may choose to retire Avhile it is possible. Fatigue on both sides may 
delay the deciding battle, yet if the enemy means to fight at all, he cannot 
afiford to delay. His reenforcements may be coming, but where are his sup- 
plies? His losses are enormous. His troops have been massed in woods 
and hollows, where artillery has had its most terrific effect. Ours have been 
deployed and scattered. From infantry fire there is less difference. The 
following day tlie rebels were in full retreat; the battle was won. 

OFFICIAL LIST OF LOSSES. 

South Mountain our loss was 443 killed, 1,806 wounded; total, 2,249. 
At Antietam our losses were 2,010 killed, 9,416 wounded, 1,043 missing; 
total, 12,469. Total in the two battles 14,718. We captured thirteen guns, 
seven caissons, nine limbers, two field forges, thirty-nine colors, and one 
signal flag; and 14,000 small arms were collected on the battle-field, and thou- 
sands carried away by citizens, &c. — Oen. McClellan s Ee^ort, Sejit. 29, 1862. 



258 THE GEEAT BATTLES. 



s 



BATTLE OF PITTSBUEG LANDING.* 

BY J. WHITELAW EEID. 

PiTTSBUEG Landing, Texn., April 9, 18G2. 
Fresh from the field of the great battle, with its pounding and roariag 
of artillery, and its keener-voiced rattle of musketry still sounding in my 
wearied ears; with all its visions of horror still seeming seared upon my 
eye-balls, while scenes of panic-stricken rout and brilliant charges, and 
obstinate defences, and succor, and intoxicating success are burned alike con- 
fusedly and indelibly upon the brain, I essay to write what I know of the 
battle of Pittsburg Landing. 

The sun never rose on a more beautiful morning than that of Sunday, 
April sixth. Lulled by the general security, I had remained in pleasant 
quarters at Crump's, below Pittsburg Landing, on the river. B}^ sunrise I 
was roused by the cry : " They're fighting above." Volleys of musketry 
could sure enough be distinguished, and occasionally the sullen boom of 
artillery came echoing down the stream. Momentarily the volume of sound 
increased, till it became evident it was no skirmish that was in progress, 
and that a considerable portion of the army must be already engaged. 
Hastily springing on the guards of a passing steamboat, I hurried up. 

The sweet spring sunshine danced over the rippling waters, and softly 
lit up the green of the banks. A few fleecy clouds alone broke the azure 
above. A light breeze murmured among the young leaves ; the blue-bu'ds 
were singing their gentle treble to the stern music that still came louder and 
deeper to us from the bluifs above, and the frogs were croaking their feeble 
imitation from the marshy islands that studded the channel. 

Even thus early the west bank of tlie river was lined with the usual 
fugitives from action hurriedly pushing onwards, they knew not where, 
except down stream and away from the fight. An officer on board hailed 
numbers of them and demanded their reason for being there, but they all 
gave the same response : " We're clean cut to pieces, and every man must 
save himself" 

At the Landing appearances became still more ominous. Our two Cin- 
cinnati wooden gunboats, Tyler and Lexington, were edging uneasily up and 
down the banks, eager to put in their broadsides of heavy guns, but unable 
to find where they could do it. The roar of battle was startlingly close, 
and showed that the rebels were in earnest in their attempt to carry out their 
threat of driving us into the river. The landing and blufi' above were 

* This battle is also known by tbe name of SUiloh. 



BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING. 259 

covered with cowards who had fled from their ranks to the rear for safety, 
and wlio were telling the most fearful stories of the rebel onset and the 
sufferings of their own particular regiments. Momentarily fresh fugitives 
came back, often guns in hand, and all giving the same accounts of thicken- 
ing disasters in front. 

Hurrying out toward the scene of action, I was soon convinced that 
there was too much foundation for the tales of the runaways. Sherman's 
and Prentiss' entire divisions were falling back in disorder, sharply pressed 
by the rebels in overwhelming numbers, at all points. McClernand's had 
already lost part of its camps, and it, too, was falling back. 

POSITION OF THE NATIONAL TROOPS. 

And first, of our positions. Let the reader understand that the Pittsburg 
Landing is simply a narrow ravine, down which a road passes to the river- 
bank, between high bluQ's on either side. There is no town at all — two log- 
huts comprise all the improvements visible. Back from the river is a rolling 
country, clit up with numerous ravines, partially under cultivation, but per- 
haps the greater j^art thickly wooded with some underbrush. The soil is 
clayey, and roads on Sunday morning were good. Prom the Landing a 
road leads direct to Corinth, twenty miles distant. A mile or two out this 
road forks : one branch is the lower Corinth road, the other the ridge 
Corinth road. A short distance out, another road takes off to the left, 
crosses Lick Creek, and leads back to the river at Hamburg, some miles 
further up. On the right, two separate roads lead off to Purdy, and another 
a new one, across Snake Creek to Crump's Landing on the river below. 
Besides these, the whole country inside our hues is cut up with roads leading 
to our different camps ; and beyond the lines is the most inextricable maze 
of cross-roads, intersecting everything and leading everywhere, in which it 
was ever my ill-fortune to become entangled. 

On and between these roads, at distances of from two to four or five 
miles from Pittsburg Landing, lay five divisions of Major-General Grant's 
army that Sunday morning. The advance line was formed by three divi- 
sions — Brig.-Gen. Sherman's, Brig.-Gen. Prentiss's, and Maj.-Gen. McCler- 
nand's. Between these and the Landing lay the two others — Brig.-Gen. 
Hurlbut's and Major-Gen. Smith's, commanded, in the absence (from sick- 
ness) of that admirable officer, by Brig.-Gen. W. H. L. Wallace. 

Our advance line, beginning at the extreme left, was thus formed. On 
the Hamburg road, just this side the crossing of Lick Creek and under bluffs 
on the opposite bank that commanded tlie position, lay Col. D. Stuart's 
brigade of Gen. Sherman's division. Some three or four miles distant from 
this brigade, on the lower Corinth road and between that and the one to 



260 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

Purdy, lay the remaining brigades of Sherman's division. McDowell's 
forming the extreme right of our whole advanc ■ line, Buckland's coming 
next to it, and Hildebrand's next. To the left of Hildebrand's brigade, 
though rather behind a portion of Sherman's line, lay Major-General 
McClernand's division, and between it and Stuart's brigade, already men- 
tioned as forming our extreme left, lay Brig.-Gen. Prentiss's division, com- 
pleting the front. 

Back of this line, within a mile of the Landing, lay Ilurlburt's division, 
stretching across the Corinth road, and W. H. L. Wallace's to the right. 

Such was the position of our troops at Pittsburg Landing; at daybreak 
Sunday morning, Major-General Lew. Wallace's division lay at Crump's 
Landing, some miles below, and was not ordered up till about half past 
seven o'clock that day. 

It is idle to criticise arrangements now — it is so easy to be wise after a 
matter is over — but the reader will hardly fail to observe the essential 
defects of such disposition of troops for a great battle. Nearly four miles 
intervened between the different parts of Sherman's division. Of course to 
command the one, he must neglect the other. McClernand's lay partially 
behind Sherman, and therefore, not stretching far enough to the left, there 
was a gap between him and Prentiss, which the rebels did not fail speedily 
to find. Our extreme left was commanded by unguarded heights, easily 
approachable from Corinth. And the whole arrangement was confused and 
ill-adjusted. 

THE REBEL PLAN OF ATTACK. 

During Friday and Saturday the rebels had marched out of Corinth, 
about sixty thousand strong, in three great divisions. Sidney Johnston had 
general command of the whole army. Beauregard had the centre ; Braxton 
Bragg and Hardee the wings. Polk, Breckinridge, Cheatham and others 
held subordinate commands. 

Their general plan of attack is said by prisoners to have been to strike 
our centre first, (composed, as the reader will remember, of Prentiss's and 
McClernand's divisions,) pierce the centre, and then pour in their troops to 
attack on each side the wings into which they would thus cut our army. 

To accomplish this, they should have struck the left of the three brigades 
of Sherman's division which lay on our right, and the left of McClernand's, 
which came to the front on Sherman's left. By some mistake, however, 
they struck Sherman's left alone, and that a few moments after a portion of 
their right wing had swept up against Prentiss, 



BATTLE OF PITTSBUEG LANDING. 261 

THE BATTLE ON SUNDAY, APRIL G. OUR SIEN SURPRISED. 

Almost at dawn, Prentiss's pickets were driven in; a very little later 
Hildebrand's (in Slierman's division) were ; and the enemy were in the 
camps almost as soon as were the pickets themselves. 

Here began scenes which, let us hope, will have no parallel in our 
remaining annals of the war. Some, particularly among our officers, Avere 
not yet out of bed. Others were dressing, otliers washing, others cooking, a 
few eating their breakfasts. Manj^ guns were unloaded, accoutrements 
lying pell-mell, ammunition was ill-supplied— in short, the camps were 
virtually surprised — disgracefully, it might be added, unless some one can 
hereafter give some yet undiscovered reason to the contrary — and were 
taken at almost every possible disadvantage. 

The first wild cries from the pickets rushing in, and the few scattering 
shots that preceded their ariival, aroused the regiments to a sense of their 
peril; an instant afterward, shells were hurtling through the tents, while, 
before there was time for thought of preparation, there came rushing through 
the woods, with lines of battle sweeping the whole fronts of the division- 
camps and bending down on cither flank, the fme, dashing, compact columns 
of the enemy. 

Into the just-aroused camps thrOnged the rebel regiments, firing sharp 
volleys as they came, and springing toward our laggards with the bayonet. 
Some were shot down as they were running, without weapons, hatless, 
coatless, toward the river. The searching bullets found other poor unfor- 
tunates in their tents, and there, all unheeding now, they still slumbered, 
while the unseen foe rushed on. Others fell, as they were disentangling 
themselves from the flaps that formed the doors to their tents ; others as 
they were buckling on their accoutrements ; a few, it was even said, as they 
were vainly trying to impress on the cruelly-exultant enemy their readiness 
to surrender. 

Officers were wounded in their beds, and left for dead, Avho, through the 
Avhole two days' fearful sti'uggle, lay there gasping in their agony, and on 
Monday evening were found in their gore, inside their tents, and still able to 
tell the tale. 

Suck Avere the fearful disasters that opened the rebel onset on the lines 
of Prentiss's division. Similar were the fates of Hildebrand's brigade in 
Sherman's division. 

Meantime what they could our shattered regiments did. Palling rapidly 
back through the heavy woods till they gained a protecting ridge, firing as 
they ran, and making what resistance men thus situated might, Sherman's 
men succeeded in partially checking the rush of the enemy, long enough to 
form their hasty line of battle. Meantime the other two brigades of the 



262 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

division (to the right) sprang hastily to their arms, and had barely done so 
when the enemy's lines came sweeping up against their fronts too, and the 
battle thus opened fiercely along Sherman's whole line on the right. 

Hildebrand's brigade had been compelled to abandon their camps without 
a struggle. Some of the regiments, it is even said, ran without firing a gun. 
It is certain that parts of regiments, both here and in other divisions, 
ran disgracefully. Yet they were not wholly Avithout excuse. They were 
raw troops, just from the usual idleness of our " camps of instruction ; " 
hundreds of them had never heard a gun fired in anger ; their officers, 
for the most part, were equally inexperienced ; they had been reposing 
in fancied security, and were awaked, perhaps from ' sweet dreams of 
home and wives and children, by the stunning roar of cannon in their 
very midst, and the bursting of bomb-shells among their tents — to see only 
the serried columns of the magnificent rebel advance, and through the 
blinding, stifling smoke, the hasty retreat of comrades and supports, right 
and left. Certainly, it is sad enough, but hardly surprising, that under such 
circumstances, some should run. Half as much caused the wild panic at 
Bull Run. 

But they ran, and the enerrty did not fail to profit by the wild disorder. As 
Hildebrand's brigade fell back, McClernand threw fonvard his left to support 
it. Meanwhile Sherman was doing his best to rally his troops. Dashing 
along the lines, encouraging them everywhere by his presence, and exposing 
his own life with the same freedom with which he demanded the offer of 
theirs, he did much to save the division from utter destruction. Buckland 
and McDowell held their ground fiercely for a time. At last they were 
compelled to retire their brigades from their camps across the little ravine 
behind ; but here again they made a gallant defence, while what was left of 
Hildebrand's was falling back in such order as it might, and leaving Mc- 
Clernand's left to take their place, and check the wave of rebel advance. 



PRENTISS S DIVISION. 

Prentiss was faring scarcely so well. Most of his troops stood their 
ground, to be formed into line, but strangely enough, the line was drawn up 
in an open space, leaving to the enemy the cover of the dense scrub-oak in 
front, from which they could pour in their volleys in comparative safety. 

The men held their position with an obstinacy that adds new laurels to 
the character of the American soldier, but it was too late. Down on either 
flank came the overwhelming enemy. Fiercely pushed in front, with a wall 
of bayonets closing in on either side, like the contracting iron chamber of 
the Inquisition, what could they do but what they did? Speedily their re- 



BATTLE OF PITTSBUKG LANDING. 2G3 

sistance became less obstinate, more and more rapidly they fell back, less 
ard less frec[uent became their returning volleys. 

The enemy pushed their advantage. They were already vpithiu our 
lines; they had driven one division from all its camps, and nearly opened, as 
they supposed, the way to the river. Just here — between nine and ten 
o'clock — McArthur's brigade of W. H. L. Wallace's division came up to give 
some assistance to Stuart's brigade of Sherman's division, on the extreme 
left, now in imminent danger of being cut off by Prentiss's defection. Mc- 
Arthur mistook the way, marched too far to the right, and so, instead of 
reaching Stuart, came in on the other side of the rebels, now closely push- 
ing Prentiss. His men at once opened vigorously on the enemy, and for a 
time they seemed likely still to save our imperilled division. But coming 
unawares, as they seem to have done, upon the enemy, their positions were 
not well chosen, and all had to fall back together. 

Gen. Prentiss seems here to have become separated from a large portion 
of his command. The division fell into confusion ; fragments of brigades 
and regiments continued the fight, but there was no longer concert of action 
or continuity of lines of defence. Most of the troops drifted back behind 
the new lines that were being formed ; many, as they continued an isolated 
struggle, were surrounded and taken prisoners. 

Practically, by ten o'clock the division was gone. Gen. Prentiss and 
the few troops that surrounded him maintained a detached position some 
hours longer, till they were completely cut off and surrounded ; and the 
rebels signalized their success by marching three regiments, with a division 
general, as prisoners to their rear. 

By ten o'clock, however, this entire division was virtually Tiors du combat. 
A deep gap in our front line was made, the rebels had nearly pierced 
through, and were only held back by McArthur's brigade, and the rest of 
W. H. L. Wallace's division, which hurried over to its assistance. 

For the present let us leave them there. They held the Une from this 
time until four. 

Sherman's division. — m'clernand's. 

We left Sherman's brigades maintaining a confused fight, Hildebrand's 
about gone, Buckland's and ]\IcDoweirs holding their ground more tena- 
ciously. The firing aroused McClernand's division. At first they supposed it 
to be a mere skirmish ; perhaps even only the irregular discharge of muskets 
by guards and pickets, to clean out their guns — a practice wliich, to the 
disgrace of our discipline be it said, was well nigh universal — and rendered 
it almost impossible at any time to know whether firing meant anything at 
all, beyond ordinary disorder of our own soldiers. But the continued rattle 
of musketry soon undeceived them, and almost as soon the advance of the 



264 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

rebels, pouring after Hildebrand, was upon them. The division, it will be 
remembered, lay a short distance in the rear, and with one brigade stretch- 
ing out to the left of Sherman's line. Properly speaking, merely from the 
location of the camp, McClernand did not belong to the front line at all. 
Two-thirds of his division were entirely behind Sherman. But as the latter 
fell back, McClernand had to bear the shock of battle. 

As already stated, McClernand Avas first called into action shortly after 
the surprise of Sherman's left brigade, (Hildebrand's) — about seven in the 
morning — by having to move up his left brigade to support Sherman's re- 
treating left and preserve the line. Then, as Sherman's other brigades fell 
back, McClernand's moved up and engaged the enemy in support. Gradu- 
ally the resistance in Buckland's brigade and what was still left to its right 
of Hildebrand's, became more confused and irresolute. The line wavered, 
the men fell back in squads and companies, they failed to lally promptly at 
the call of their ofiicers. As they retreated, the woods behind them became 
thinner and there was less protection from the storm of grape that swept as 
if on blasts of a hurricane among the trees. Lieut.-Col. Canfield, command- 
ing the Seventy-second Ohio, was mortally wounded and borne dying from 
the field. Col. Sullivan of the Forty-eighth Ohio, was wounded, but con- 
tinued at the head of his men. Company officers fell and were carried away 
from their men. At one of our wavering retreats, the rebels, by a sudden 
dash forward, had taken part of "VVaterhouse's battery, which McClernand 
had sent them over. Beer's battery too was taken, and Taylor's Chicago 
Light Artillery was so terribly pounded as to be forced to retire with heavy 
loss. As the troops gave way, they came out from the open woods into old 
fields, completely raked by the enemy's fire. For them all was lost, and 
away went Buckland's and Hildebrand's brigades, Ohioans and Illinoisans 
together, to the rear and right, in such order as they might. 

McDowell's brigade had fallen back less slowly than its two companions 
of the same division, but it was now left entirely alone. It had formed our 
extreme right, and of course had no support there ; its supporting brigades 
on the left had gone ; through the space they occupied the rebels were pour- 
ing ; they were in imminent danger of being entirely cut off, and back they 
fell too, still farther to the right and rear, among the ravines that border 
Snake Creek. 

And here, so far as Sunday's fight is concerned, the greater part of 
Sherman's division passes out of view. The general, though wounded by a 
musket ball through the hand, was yet indefatigable in collecting and re- 
organizing his shattered columns of raw troops, by which a straggling con- 
test was for a wliile kept up. 



BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING. 265 

ATTACK ON m'cLERNAND's RIGHT AND SHERMAN'S LEFT. 

As Shei'man fell back McCIernand was compelled to bring in his brigades 
again to protect his left from the assaults of the enemy, who now hurled 
themselves furiously against him, being encouraged by their success over 
Prentiss. At this juncture the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa were brought 
up, but being raw troops and subjected to a heavy fire they soon fled in confu- 
sion over the field. McClernand's division, to meet the now exigency, changed 
front and faced along the Corinth road. Here they maintained the unequal 
contest till 10 o'clock. Sherman having now fdlen back, a lebel brig.ide 
gained the road farther out and attempted to flank McClernand's right. 
Dresser's battery of rifled guns being opportunely posted opened on their 
exposed ranks with feaiful slaughter, and drove them back. 

The rebel troops were skillfully handled and the arrival of fresh regi- 
ments eventually compelled our forces to give way. The loss in officers 
was here severe ; guns and caissons were lost and batteries were broken up. 
The soldiers had fought bravely, but had been overpowered by force of 
numbers. By eleven o'clock these troops were in line with Hurlbut's, and 
again fought desperately, and again fell back near the camps of W. H. L. 
Wallace. Gen. Grant did not arrive on the field till near this hour, and up 
to this time each general had acted as he thought best. 

In selecting the grounds for the camps of our army an important road, 
leading direct from Corinth to Hamburg, on the Tennessee, a few miles 
above the left wing of our forces, had been entirely overlooked and forgot- 
ten; to this fact maybe mainly attributed our surprise and discomfiture. 
It was by this road that a couple of brigades advanced and secured a com- 
manding position, from which they could not be dislodged. From the bat- 
teries of the enemy posted there, our forces, consisting of Stuart's brigade, 
sustained a galling fire — they formed a cover to the rebel infantry which 
now poured in masses upon our broken ranks, who retired one fourth of 
a mile to the next ridge, where, when forming a new hne of battle, some 
rebel cavalry that had got on their flank was seen advancing, and a new 
front was given our lines — the rebel infantry still following up their advan- 
tages again threatened a flank attack. When aid being sent for, Gen. Mc- 
Arthur came up with his brigade, but losing their way, having borne too 
much to the right got nearly surrounded, but by vigorously engaging the 
enemy he succeeded in falling back to a good position, having meanwhile 
been severely wounded. This movement proved of little aid to the hard 
pressed command, and they were once more forced to retreat. 



266 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

DESPERATE CONDITION OF THE NATIONAL TR00P3. 

Thia clears our entire front line of divisions. The enemy has full 
possession of all Sherman's, Prentiss's, and McCIernand's camps. By ten 
o'clock our whole front, except Stuart's brigade, had given way, and the 
burden of the fight was resting on Hurlbut and "W. H. L. Wallace. Before 
twelve, Stuart, too, had come back, and for the time absolutely only those 
two divisions stood between our army and destruction or surrender. 

Still all was not lost. Hurlbut and Wallace began making a most 
gallant stand ; and meantime most of the troops from the three driven 
divisions were still to some extent available. Many of them had wandered 
down the river — some as far as Crump's Landing, and some even to 
Savannah. These were brought back again on transports. Lines of guards 
were extended to prevent skulkers from getting back to the Landing, and 
especially to stop the shrewd dodge among the cravens of taking six or 
eight able-bodied soldiers to assist some slightly-wounded fellow into the 
hospital ; and between this cordon and the rear of the fighting divisions the 
fragments of regiments were reorganized after a fashion, and sent back to 
the field. Brigades could not be got together again, much less divisions, 
but the regiments pieced together froca the loose squads that could be 
gathered and officered, often by men who could find scarcely a soldier of 
their own commands, were hurried to the front, and many of them did good 
service. 

Our weakest point was the right, and to turning this the rebels did not 
seem to have paid so much attention on Sunday, caused no doubt by their 
extravagant success in the early part of that day in their attack on Prentiss's 
division. 

According to general understanding, in the event of an attack at Pittsburg 
Landing, Majoi'-Gen. Lew. Wallace was to come in on our right and flank 
tlie rebels by marching across from Crump's Landing below. Yet strangely 
enough, Wallace, though with his division all drawn up and ready to march 
anywhere at a moment's notice, was not ordered to Pittsburg Landing till 
nearly if not quite twelve o'clock. Then through misdirection as to the 
way to come in on the flank, four miles of marching were lost, and the cir- 
cuitous route made it twelve miles more, before they could reach the scene 
of battle. Meantime our right was almost wholly unprotected. Fortunately, 
as I said, however, the rebels do not seem to have discovered the full extent 
of this weakness, and their heaviest fighting was done on the centre and 
left, where we still preserved our line. 



BATTLE OF PITTSBUEG LANi^ING. 2G7 

hurlbut's division. 

Hurlbut's division, it will be remembered, stretched across the Corinth 
road, facing rather to our left. W. H. L. Wallace's other brigades had gone 
over to assist McArthur, and the division, thus reunited, steadily closed the 
line, where Prentiss's division and Stuart's brigade, in their retreat, had left 
it open. 

Hurlbut had been encamped in the edge nearest the river of a stretch of 
open fields, backed with heavy timber. 

As Prentiss fell back, Hurlbut's left aided Wallace in sustaining the 
rebel onset, and when McClernand gave way, the remainder of the division 
was thrown forward. The position beyond the camps, however, was not a 
good one, and the division was compelled to fall back, through its camp3 
to the thick woods behind. Here, with open fields before them, they 
could rake the rebel approach. Nobly did they stand their grounds. 
From ten to half- past three they held the enemy in check, and 
through nearly that whole time were actively engaged. Hurlbut himself 
displayed the most daring and brilliant gallantry, and his example, with that 
of the brave officers under him, nerved the men to the sternest endurances 
Three times during those long hours the heavy rebel masses on the left 
charged upon the division, and three times were they repulsed, with terrible 
slaughter. 

But there is still much in the Napoleonic theory that Providence has a 
tendency, at least, to go with the heaviest battalions. The battalions were 
against us. The rebel generals, too, handled their forces with a skill that 
extorted admiration in the midst of our sufferings. Repulse was nothing to 
them, A rush on our Hnes failed ; they took their disordered troops to the 
rear, and sent up fresh troops, who unknowing the fearful reception 
awaiting them, were ready to try it again. The jaded division was com- 
pelled to yield, and after six hours' magnificent fighting, it fell back out of 
sight of its camps, and to a point within half a mile of the Landing. 

Wallace's division — its general mortally wounded. 

Let us turn to the fate of Hurlbut's companion division — that of Brig. 
Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, which included the Second and Seventh Iowa, 
Ninth and Twenty-eighth Illinois, and several of the other regiments com- 
posing Maj.-Gen. Smith's old division; with also three excellent batteries. 
Stone's, Richardson's and Weber's (all from Missouri,) forming an artillery 
battalion, under the general management of Major Cavender. 

Here, too, the fight began about ten o'clock, as already described. From 
that time until four in the afternoon, they manfully bore up. The musketry 
fire was absolutely continuous ; there was scarcely a moment that some part 



268 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

of the line was not pouring in its rattling volleys, and the artillery was ad- 
mirably serA^ed, with but little intermission through the entire time. 

Once or twice the infaniry advanced, attempting to drive the continually 
increasing enemy, but though they could hold what they had, their numbers 
■were not equal to the task of conquering any more. 

Four separate times the rebels attempted in turn to charge on them. 
Each time the infantry poured in its quickest volleys, the artillery redoubled 
its exertions, and the rebels retreated with heavy slaughter. The division 
was eager to remain, even when Hurlbut fell back, and the fine fellows with 
the guns were particularly indignant at not being permitted to pound away. 
But their supports were gone on either side ; to have remained in isolated 
advance would have been madness. Just as the necessity for retreating was 
becoming apparent. Gen. Wallace, whose cool, collected bravery had com- 
manded the admiration of all, was mortally wounded, and borne away from 
the field. At last the division fell back. Its soldiers claim — justly, I be- 
lieve — the proud distinction of being the last to yield, in the general break 
of our hues, that gloomy Sunday afternoon, which, at half-past four o'clock, 
had left most of our army within half a mile of the Landing, with the rebels 
up to a thousand yards of their position. 

Capt. Stone could not resist the temptation of stopping, as he passed 
•what had been Hurlbut's headquarters, to try a few parting shots. He did 
fine execution, but narrowly escaped losing some gun.s, by having his wheel- 
horses shot down. Capt. Walker did los5 a twenty-pounder through some 
breakage in the carriage. It was recovered again on Monday. 

THE CLOSE OF SUNDAy's FIGHT. 

We have reached the last act in the tragedy of Sunday. It is half-past 
four o'clock. Our front line of divisions has been lost since half-past ten. 
Our reserve line is now gone, too. The rebels occupy the camps of every 
division save that of W. H. L. Wallace. Our whole army is crowded in tlie 
region of Wallace's camps, and to a circuit of one-half to two-thirds of a 
mile around the Landing. We have been falling back all day. We can do 
it no more. The next repulse puts us into the river, and there are not 
transports enough to cross a single division till the enemy would be upon us. 

Lew. Wallace's division might turn the tide for us — it is made of fight- 
ing men — but where is it? Why has it not been thundering on the right 
for three hours past ? We do not know yet that it was not ordered up till 
noon. Buell is coming, but he has been doing it all day, and all last week. 
His advance-guard is across the river now, waiting ferriage; but what is an 
advance-guard, with sixty thousand victorious foes in front of us? 

We have lost nearly all our camps and camp equipage. We have lost 



BATTLE OF PITTSBUKG LANDING. 2G9 

nearly half our field artillery. We have lost a division general and two or 
three regiments of our soldiers as prisoners. We have lost — how dreadfully 
we are afraid to think — in killed and wounded. The hospitals are full to 
overflowing. A long ridge bluff is set apart for surgical uses. It is covered 
with the maimed, the dead and dying. And our men are discouraged by pro- 
longed defeat. Notliing but the most energetic exertion, on the part of the 
ofiicers, prevents them from becoming demorahzed. Regiments have lost 
their favorite field officers ; companies the captains whom they have always 
looked to, with that implicit faith the soldier learns, to lead them to battle. 

Meanwhile there is a lull in the firing. For the first time since sunrise 
you fiil to catch the angry rattle of musketry or the heavy booming of the 
field-guns. Either the enemy must be preparing for the grand, final rush 
that is to crown the day's success, or they are puzzled by our last retreat, and 
are moving cautiously lest we spring some trap upon them. L#t us embrace 
the opportunity, and look about the Landing. We pass the old log house, 
lately post-office, now full of wounded and surgeons, which constitutes the 
" Pittsburg " part of the Landing. Gen. Grant and staff are in a group 
beside it. The general is confident. "We can hold them off till to-mor- 
row; then they'll be exhausted, and we'll go at them with fresh troops." 
A great ciowd is collected around the building — all in uniforms, most of 
them with guns. And yet we are needing troops in the front so sorely ! 



On the bluffs above the river is a sight that may well make our cheeks 
tingle. There are not less than five thousand skulkers lining the banks ! 
Ask them why they don't go to their jalaces in the line : "Oii! our regiment 
is all cut to pieces." "Why don't you go to where it is forming again?" 
" I can't find it," and the hulk looks as if that would be the very last thing 
he would want to do. 

Officers are around amoug them, trying to hunt up their men, storming, 
coaxing, commanding — cursing I am afraid. One stiange fellow — a major, 
if I remember aright — is making a sort of elevated, superfine Fourth of 
July speech to everybody that will listen to him. He means well, certainly: 
" Men of Kentucky, of Illinois, of Ohio, of Iowa, of Indiana, I implore you. 
I beg of you, come up now. Help us through two hours more. By all 
that you hold dear, by the homes you hope to defend, by the flag you love, 
l/y the States you honor, by all your love of country, by all your hatred of 
treason, I conjure you, come up and do your duty now!" And so on for 
quantity. " That feller's a good speaker," was the only response I heard, 
and the fellow who gave it nestled more snugly behind his tree as he 
spoke. 



270 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

ARRIVAL OF GEK. BTJELL. 

Looking across the Tennessee we see a body of cavalry, awaiting trans- 
portation over. They are said to be Buell's advance, yet they have been 
there an hour or two alone. But suddenly there is a rustle among the run- 
aways. It is ! it is ! You see the gteaming of the gun-barrels, you catch 
amid the leaves and undergrowth down the opposite side of the river 
glimpses of the steady, swinging tramp of trained soldiers. A division of 
Buell's army is here I And the men who have left their regiments on the 
field send up tliree cheers for Buell. ^le?/ cheering! May it parch their 
throats, as if they had been breathing the simoom I 

Here comes a boat across with a lieutenant and two or three privates of 
the Signal Corps. Some orders are instantly given the officer and as in- 
stantly telegraphed to the other side by the mysterious wavings and raisings 
and droppings of the flags. A steamer comes up with pontoons on board, 
with which a bridge could be speedily thrown across. Unaccountably 
enough, to onlookers, she slowly reconnoiters and steams back again. Per- 
haps, after all, it is better to have no bridge there. It simplifies the ques- 
tion, takes escape out of the count, and leaves it victory or death — to 
the cowards that slink behind the bluffs as well as to the brave men who 
peril their lives to do the state some service on the fields beyond. Prepara- 
tions go rapidly forward for crossing the division (Gen. Nelson's, which has 
the advance of Buell's army) on the dozen or so transports that have been 
tied up along the bank. 

We have spent but a few minutes on the bluff, but they are the golden 
minutes that count for years. Well was it for that driven, defeated, but not 
disgraced army of Gen. Grant's that those minutes were improved. Col. 
Webster, Chief of Staff, and an artillery officer of no mean ability, had ar- 
ranged the guns that he could collect of those that remained to us in a sort 
of semi-circle, protecting the Landing, and bearing chiefly on our centre and 
leflj by which the rebels were pretty sure to advance. Corps of artillerists 
to man them were improvised from all the batteries that could be collected. 
Twenty-two guns in all were placed in position. Two of them were heavy 
siege-guns, long thirty-twos. 

Remember the situation. It was half-past four o'clock — ^perhaps a quar- 
ter later still. Every division of our army on the field had been repulsed. 
The enemy were in the camps of four out of five of them. We were driven 
to within little over half a mile of the Landing. Behind us was a deep, 
rapid river. Before us was a victorious enemy. And still there was an 
hour for fighting. " Oh ! that night or Blucher would come I" Oh ! that 
night or Lew. Wallace would come! Nelson's division of Gen. Buell's army 
evidently couldn't cross in time to do us much good. We didn't yet know 



BATTLE or PITTSBURG LANDING. 271 

why Lew. Wallace wasn't on the ground. In the justice of a righteous 
cause, and in that semi-circle of twenty-two guns in position, lay all the 
hope we could see. 

Suddenly a broad, sulphurous flash of light leaped out from the darken- 
ing woods ; and through the glare and suioke came whistling the leaden 
hail. The rebels were making their crowning efforts for the day, and as was 
expected when our guns were hastily placed, they came from our left and 
centre. They had wasted their fire at one thousand yards. Instantaneously 
our deep-mouthed bull-dogs flung out their sonorous response. The rebel 
artillery opened, and shell and round-shot came tearing across the open 
space back of the bluff. May I be forgiven for the malicious thought, but 1 
certainly did wish one or two might drop hehind the bluff among tlie crowd 
of skulkers hovering under the hill at the river's edge. 

Very handsome was the response our broken infantry battalions poured 
in. The enemy soon had reason to remember that, if not 

" still in their ashes live the wonted fires," 

at least still in the fragments hved the ancient valor that had made the short- 
lived rebel successes already cost so dear. 

THE GUNBOATS OPEN FIRE. 

The rebel infantry gained no ground, but the furious cannonading and 
musketry continued. Suddenly new actors entered on the stage. Our 
Cincinnati wooden gunboats, the A, 0. Taylor and the Lexington, had been 
all day impatiently chafing for their time to come. The opportunity was 
theirs. The rebels were attacking on our left, lying where Stuart's brigade 
had lain on Licking Creek in the morning, and stretching thence in on the 
Hamburg road, and across toward our old centre as far as Hurlbut's camps. 
Steaming up to the mouth of the little creek, the boats rounded to. There 
was the ravine, cut through the bluff as if on purpose for their shells. 

Eager to avenge the death of their commanding general, (now known to 
have been killed a couple of hours before), and to complete the victory they 
believed to be within their grasp,^the rebels had incautiously ventured 
within reach of their most dreaded antagonists, as broadside after broadside 
of seven-inch shells and sixty-four-joound shot soon taught them. This was 
a foe they had hardly counted on, and the unexpected fire in flank and rear 
sadly disconcerted their well-laid plans. The boats fired admirably, and 
Miith a rapidity that Avas astonishing. Our twenty-two land-guns kept up 
their stormy thunder ; and thus, amid a crash and roar and scream of shells 
and demon-like hiss of Minie-balls, that Sabbath evening wore away. "We 
held the enemy at bay ; it was euougL The prospect for the morrow was 



272 THE GKEAT BATTLES. 

foreboding ; but sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. We had had 
plenty of evil that day — of course, therefore, the text was applicable. 
Before dark the Thirty-sixth Indiana, from Nelson's advance brigade, had 
crossed, advanced into line with Grant's forces at the double-quick, and had 
put in fourteen rounds as an earnest of what sho.uld be forthcoming on the 
morrow. 

The enemy suddenly slackened his fire. His grand object had been 
defeated ; he had not finished his task in a day ; but there is evidence that 
officers and men alike shared the confidence that their morning assault 
would be final. 

THE NIGHT BETWEEN TWO BATTLES. 

As the sounds of battle died away, and division generals drew off their 
men, Buell had arrived, and Lew. Wallace had been heard from. Both 
would be ready by morning. It was decided that as soon as possible after 
daybreak we should attack the enemy, now snugly quartered in our camps. 
Lew. Wallace, who was coming in on the new road from Crump's Landing, 
and crossing Snake Creek just above the Illinois Wallace's (W. H. L.) 
camps, was to take the right and sweep back toward the position from 
which Sherman had been driven on Sunday morning. Nelson was to take 
the extreme left. Buell promised to put in Tom. Crittenden next to Nelson, 
and McCook next to him by a seasonable hour in the mOrning. The gap 
between McCook and Lew. Wallace was to be filled with the reorganized 
divisions of Grant's old army ; Hurlbut coming next to McCook, then 
McClernand, and Sherman closing the gap between McClernand and Lew. 
Wallace. 

Stealthily the troops crept to their new positions and lay down in line 
of battle on their arms. All through the night Buell's men were marching 
up from Savannah to the point opposite Pittsburg Landing, and being ferried 
across, or were coming up on transports. By an hour after dark Lew 
Wallace had his division in. Through the misdirection he had received 
from Gen. Grant at noon, he had started on the Snake Creek road proper, 
which would have brought him in on the enemy's rear, miles from support, 
and where he would have been gobbled at a mouthful. Getting back to th'^ 
right road had delayed him. lie at once ascertained the position of certain 
rebel batteries which lay in front of him on our right, that threatened 
absolutely to bar his advance in the morning, and selected positions for a 
couple of his batteries, from which they could silence the one he dreaded. 
Placing these in position, and arranging his brigades for support, took him 
till one o'clock in the morning. Then his wearied men lay down to snatch 
a few hours of sleep before entering into the valley of the Shadow of Death 
on the morrow. 



BATTLE OF PITTSBUKG LANDING. 273 

By nine o'clock all was hushed near the Landing. The host of com- 
batants that three hours before had been deep in the work of human de- 
struction had all sunk silently to the earth, "the wearied to sleep, the 
wounded to die." The stars looked out upon the scene, and all breathed 
the natural quiet and calm of a Sabbath evening. But presently there came 
a flash that spread like sheet-lightning over the ripples of the river-current, 
and the roar of a heavy naval gun went echoing up and down the bluffs, 
through the unnatural stillness of the night. Others speedily followed. By 
the flash you could just discern the black outline of the piratical-looking hull, 
and see how the gunboat gracefully settled into the water at the recoil; the 
smoke soon cast up a thin veil that seemed only to soften and sweeten the 
scene ; from the woods away inland you caught faintly the mufQed explosion 
of the shell, like the knell of the spirit that was taking its flight. 

THE BATTLE ON MONDAY, APRIL 7. — OUR MUSTER-ROLL. 

I have given the line of battle agreed upon for our forces on Monday : 
Right wing, Major-Gen. Lew. Wallace ; left wing, Brig.-Gen. Nelson. 
Between these, beginning at the left, Brig.-Gens. Tom. Crittenden, 
A. McD., McCook, Hurlbut, McClernand and Sherman. In the divisions of 
the three latter were to be included also the remains of Prentiss's and 
W. H. L. Wallace's commands — shattered, disorganized, and left without 
commanders, through the capture of one, and the probably mortal wound of 
the other. 

Buell's three divisions Avere not full when the battle opened Monday 
morning, but the lacking regiments were gradually brought into the rear. 

THE WORK OF SUNDAY NIGHT. 

Between the 'bombardment of the gunboats and a heavy thunder-storm 
that passed little rest was got by our troops, but the welcome rain soothed 
the wounded heroes and laid the dust for the coming confhct. Buell's army, 
meanwhile, were crossing the river and marching to their several allotted 
posts in line of battle. They moved quietly along like veterans who under- 
stood and vi^ere resolved to do their Avork bravely and well. The firing at 
intervals of the gunboats through the night had had a most excellent effect. 
They had cut the coils that bound us so closely on Sabbath Eve, and com- 
pelled the enemy to retire out of their range, thus compelled to leave full 
half the ground they gained in the conflict of the first day. 

Less easily accounted for was a movement of theirs on our right. They 
had held here a steep blufl', covered with underbrush, as their advanced line. 
Through the night they abandoned this, which gave them the best position 



274 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

for opposing Lew. Wallace, and had fallen back across some open fields to 
the scrub-oak woods beyond. The advantage of compelling our advance 
over unprotected openings, while they maintained a sheltered position, was 
obvious, but certainly not so great as holding a height which artillery and 
infantry would make as difficult to take as many a fort. Nevertheless they ^ 
fell back. 

To those who had looked despairingly at the prospects Sunday evening, 
it seemed strange that the rebels did not open out on us by day-break 
again. Their retreat before the bomb-shells of the gunboats, however, 
explained the delay. Our own divisions were put in motion almost simul- 
taneously. By seven o'clock Lew. Wallace opened the ball by shelUng, 
from the positions he had selected the night before, the rebel battery, of 
which mention has been made. A brisk artillery duel, a rapid movement 
of infantry across a shallow ravine, as if to storm, and the rebels enfiladed 
and menaced in front, limbered up and made the opening of their Monday's 
retreating. 

nelson's advance. 

To the left we were slower in finding the enemy. They had been com- 
pelled to travel some distance to get out of guubspt range. Nelson moved 
his division about the same time Wallace opened on the rebel battery, 
forming in line of battle, Ammon's brigade on the extreme left. Brace's in 
the centre, and Hazen's to the right. Skirmishers were thrown out, and for 
nearly or quite a mile the division thus swept the country, pushing a few 
outlying rebels before it, till it came upon them in force. Then a general 
engagement broke out along the line, and again the rattle of musketry and 
thunder of artillery echoed over the late silent fields. Thei'e was no 
straggling this morning. These men were better drilled than many of those 
whose regiments had broken to pieces on the day before, and strict 
measures were taken, at any rate, to prevent the miscellaneous thronging 
back to places of safety in the rear. They stood up to their work and did 
their duty manfully. 

It soon became evident that, whether from change of commanders or 
some other cause, the rebels were pursuing a different policy in massing 
their forces. On Sunday the heaviest fighting had been done on the left. 
This morning they seemed to make less determined resistance here, while 
toward the centre and right the ground was more eagerly contested, and 
the struggle longer prolonged. 

Till half-past ten o'clock, Nelson advanced slowly but steadily, sweeping 
his long lines over the ground of our sore defeat on Sunday morning, and 
forward over scores of rebel dead, resistlessly pressing back the jaded and 
wearied enemy. The rebels had received but few reeuforcements during 



liATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING. 275 

the ni"-lit. their men were exhausted with their desperate contest of the day 
before and manifestly dispirited by the evident fact that notwithstanding 
their well-laid plans of destruction in detail, they were fighting Grant an(' 
Buell combined. 

Gradually, as Nelson pushed forward his lines under heavy musketry, 
the enemy fell back, till about half-past ten, when, under cover of the heavy 
timber and a furious cannonading, they made a general rally. Our forces, 
flushed with their easy victory, were scarcely prepared for the sudden onset, 
where retreat had been all they had been seeing before. Suddenly the 
rebel masses were hurled against our lines with ti-eraendous force. Our 
men halted, wavered, and fell back. At this critical juncture Capt Terrell's 
regular battery came dashing up. Scarcely taking time to unlimber, he was 
loading and sighting his pieces before the caissons had turned, and in an 
instant was tossing shell from twenty-four-pound howitzers into the compact 
and advancing rebel ranks. 

Here was the turning-point of the battle on the left. The rebels were 
only checked, not halted. On they came. Horse after horse from the 
batteries was picked off. Every private at one of the howitzers fell, and the 
gun was worked by Capt. Terrell himself and a corporal. Still the rebels 
advanced, till, in the very nick of time, a regiment dashed up from our line, 
and saved the disabled piece. Then for tv/o hours artillery ami musketry at 
close range. At last they began to waver. Our men pi-essed on, pouring 
in deadly volleys. Just then Buell, who assumed the general direction of 
his troops in the field, came up. At a glance he saAV the chance. "Forward 
at double-quick by brigades!" Our men leaped forward as if they had been 
tied, and Avere only too much rejoiced at suddenly finding themselves able 
to move. For a quarter of a mile the rebels fell back. Faster and faster 
they ran, less and less resistance was made to the advance. At last the 
front camps on the left were reached, and by half-past two that point was 
cleared. The rebels had been steadily swept back over the ground they had 
won, with heavy loss as they fell into confusion ; Ave had retaken all our own 
guns lost here the day before, and one or two from the rebels were left as 
trophies, to tell in after days how bravely that great victory over treason in 
Tennessee was won. 

ADVANCE OF CRITTENDEN's DIVISION. 

I have sketched the advance of Nelson. Next to him came Crittenden. 
He too swept forward over his ground to the front some distance before 
finding the foe. Between eight and nine o'clock, however, while keeping 
Smith's brigade on his left up even with Nelson's flank, and joining Boyle's 
brigade to McCook on the right, in the grand advance, tliey fame upon th^. 



276 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

enemy with a battery in position, and well supported. Smith dashed his 
brigade forward; there was sharp, close work with musketry, and the rebels 
fled, leaving us three pieces — a twelve-pounder howitzer, and two brass six- 
poundera. But they cost the gallant thirteenth Ohio dear. Major Ben. 
Piatt Runkle fell mortally wounded. Softly may he sleep, and green 
grow the laurels over his honored grave. None worthier wear them living. 

For half an hour perhaps the storm raged around these captured guns. 
Then came the reflex rebel wave that had hurled Nelson back. Crittenden, 
too, caught its full force. The rebels swept up to the batteries, around them, 
and on down a'fter our retreating column. But the two brigades, like those 
of Nelson to their left, took a fresh position, faced the foe, and held their 
ground. Mendenhall's and Bartlett's batteries now began shelling the 
infantry that alone opposed them. Before abandoning the guns so briefly 
held, they had spiked them with mud, and the novel expedient was per- 
fectly successful. From that time till after one o'clock, while the fight 
raged back and forth over the same ground, the rebels did not succeed in 
firing a shot from their mud-spiked artillery. 

At last our brigades began to gain the advantage again. Crittenden 
pushed them steadily forward. Mendenhall and Bartlett poured in their 
sheU. A rush for the contested battery, and it is ours again. The rebels 
retreated toward the left. Smith and Boyle, holding the infantry well in 
hand, Mendenhall again got their range, and poured in shell on the new 
position. The fortune of the day was against them as against their comrades 
to Nelson's front, and they were soon in full retreat. 

Just then Brig.-Gen. Thomas J. Woods' advance brigade from his ap- 
proaching division came up. It was too late for the fight, but it relieved 
Crittenden' s weary fellows, and pushed on after the rebels, until they were 
found to have left our most advanced camps. 

m'cook's advance. 

Thus the left was saved. Meanwhile McCook, with as m.agnificent 
regiments as ever came from the Army of the Potomac, or from any army 
of volunteers in the world, was doing equally well toward the centre. His 
division was handled in such a way as to save great effusion of blood, Avhile 
equally important results were attained. Thus the reserves were kept as 
much as possible from under fire, while those to the front were engaged. 
The lists of killed and wounded will show that, while as heavy fighting was 
done here as anywhere on the right or centre, the casualties are fewer than 
could have been expected. 

It would scarcely be interesting to prolong details where the course of 
one division so neaily resembled that of the others. But let me sketch the 



BATTLE OF PITTSBUEG LANDING. 277 

close. An Illinois battery, serving in the division, was in imminent danger 
The Sixth Indiana was ordered to its relief. A rapid rush; close musketry 
firing; no need of bayonets here; the battery is safe. The enemy are to 
the front and right. Advancing and firing right oblique, the Sixth pushes 
on. The rebel colors fall. Another volley; they fall again. Another 
volley ; yet once more the colors drop. There is fatality in it ; so the rebels 
seem to think at least, as they wheel and disappear. 

And then Rousseau's brigade is drawn off, in splendid style, as if coming 
in from parade, conscious of some grand master of reviews watching their 
movements. So there was — the rebel general. As he saw the brigade 
filing back, he pushed his forces forward again. Kirk's brigade advanced to 
meet them, coming out of the woods into an open field to do so. They 
were met by a tremendous fire, which threw a battaUon of regulars in front 
of them (under Major Oliver, I think) into some confusion. They retire to 
reform, and meanwhile down drops the brigade, flat on the ground. Then, 
as the front is clear, they spring up, charge across the open field — never 
mind the falling — straight on, on to the woods, under cover, with the 
enemy driven back by the impetuous advance. And now he rallies. 
Pierce musketry firing sweeps the woods. They advance — thirty rods 
perhaps — when the Twenty-ninth Indiana gets into a marsh, and falls par- 
tially to the rear. Heavier comes the leaden hail. Twenty-ninth and Thir- 
tieth both fall back fifteen or twenty rods ; they rally and advance ; again 
they are hurled back ; again they start forward ; and this time they come in 
on the vulnerable points. The enemy flees. Col. Waggoner's Fifteenth 
Indiana comes up to the support ; the enemy disappear ; fresh troops take 
their places, and for them the fight is ended. I might describe similar deeds 
of the brave Willich's and Harrison's regiments, but " from one learn all." 

m'clernand and hurlbut. 

Farther to the right, McClernand and Hurlbut were gallantly coming on 
with their jaded men. The soldiers would figld — that was the great lesson 
of the battle. If surprised, and driven off in consequence of surprise, that 
can hardly be wholly charged on them. Four times McClernand regained 
and lost again the ground to the front of his division. Similar were Hurl- 
but's fortunes. 

But I must abandon these details. Beginning at the left, we have fol- 
lowed the wave of successes that swept us forAvard again, from spot to spot, 
over the hard-lost fields of Sunday — our pagans of victory, the wild cheers 
of our successful soldiers, sounding the requiem of the fallen rebels, who 
have atoned for their treason by the brave man's death. Nelson, Crittenden, 
McCook, Hurlbut, McClernand have borne their divisions through the fray. 



278 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

It lasted longer on the right, and was as rarely interesting as the chess-game 
of a master. Let us trace it through. 

LEW. Wallace's movements. 

In spealdng of the beginning of Monday's battle, I mentioned Maj.-Gen. 
Lew. Wallace's opening the ball at seven o'clock, by shelling witli enfilading 
fires a rebel battery. A few shots demonstrated to the rebels that their 
position was untenable. The instant Sherman came in to protect his left, 
Wallace advanced his infantry. The rebel battery at once limbered up and 
got out of the way. The advance had withdrawn the division from Sher- 
man. Making a left half-wheel, to get back into the neighborhood of our 
line, they advanced some two hundred yards, which brought them to a Uttle 
elevation, with a broad open stretch to the front. 

As the division halted on the crest of the swell, there passed before them 
a rare vision. Away to the front were woods. Through the edge of the 
timber, skirting the fields, the head of a rebel column appeared, marching 
past in splendid style on the double quick. Banner after bannei' appeared ; 
the " stars and bars " formed a long Une, stretching parallel with Wallace's 
line of battle. Regiment after regiment followed on, the line lengthened, 
and doubled and trebled ; the head of the column was out of sight, and still 
they came. Twenty regiments were counted passing through these woods. 
The design was plain. The rebels had abandoned the idea of forcing their 
way through our left, and now the manifest attempt was to turn our right. 

Batteries were ordered up — Thompson's and Thurder's — and the whole 
column was shelled as it passed. The rebels rapidly threw their artillery 
into position, and a brisk cannonading began. After a time, W"hile the fight 
still rested with the artillery, the rebels opened a new and destructive bat- 
tery to the right, which our men soon leained to know as " Watson's Louisi- 
ana Battery," from the marks on the ammunition-boxes they forced it from 
time to time to leave behind. 

Batteries, with a brigade of supporting infantry, were now moved for- 
ward over open fields under heavy fire, to contend against this new assailant. 
The batteries opened, the sharpshooters were thrown out to the front to pick 
off the rebel artillerists, the brigade was ordered down on its face to protect it 
from the flying shell and grape. For an hour and a half the contest lasted, 
•while the body of the division was still delayed, waiting for Sherman. By ten 
o'clock Sherman's right, under Col. Marsh, came up. He started to move 
across the fields. The storm of n)usketry and grape was too much for him, 
and he fell back in good order. Again he started on the double, and gained 
the woods. The Louisiana battery was turned ; Marsh's position left it subject 
to fire in flank and front, and it fled. The other rebel batteries at once did 



BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING. 279 

the same ; and Wallace's division, up in an instant, now that a master move 
had swept the board, pushed forward. Before them were broad faUow 
fields, then a woody little ravine, then corn-fields, then woods. 

The left brigade was sent forward. It crossed the fallow fields, under 
ordinary fire, then gained the ravine, and was rushing across the corn-fields, 
when the same Louisiana steel rifled guns opened on them. Dashing for- 
ward they reached a little ground-swell, beliiud which they dropped like 
dead men, while skirmishers were sent forward to silence the troublesome 
battery. The skirmishers crawled forward till they gained a little knoll, not 
more than seventy-five yards from the battery. Of course the battery 
opened on them. They replied, if not so noisily, more to the purpose. In 
a few minutes the battery was driven off, with artillerists killed, horses shot 
down, and badly crippled every way. But the affair cost us a brave man — 
Lieut.-Col. Garbei' — who could not control his enthusiasm at the conduct of 
the skirmishers, and in his excitement incautiously exposed himself. All 
this while rebel regiments were pouring up to attack the audacious brigade 
that was supporting the skirmishers, and fresh regiments from Wallace's 
division came up in time to checkmate the game. 

But the battery was silenced. " Forward," was the division order. 
Rushing across the corn-fields under heavy fire, they now met the rebels 
face to face in the woods. The contest was quick, decisive. Close, sharp, 
continuous musketry for a few minutes, and the rebels fell back. 

Here, unfortunately Sherman's right gave way. Wallace's flank was 
exposed. He instantly formed Col. Wood's (Seventy-sixth Ohio) in a new 
line of battle, in right angles with the real one, and with orders to protect 
the flank. The Eleventh Indiana was likewise here engaged in a sharp en- 
gagement Avith the enemy attempting to flank, and for a time the contest 
waxed fierce. But Sherman soon filled the place of his broken regiments,- 
again Wallace's division poured forward, and again the enemy gave Avay. 

By two o'clock the division was into the woods again, and for three- 
quarters of a mile it advanced under a continuous storm of shot. Then an- 
other contest or two with batteries — always met with skirmishers and 
sharp-shooting — then, by four o'clock, two hours later than on the right, a 
general rebel retreat — then jDursuit, recall, and encampment on the old 
grounds of Sherman's division, in the very tents from which those regiments 
were driven that hapless Sunday morning. 

The camps were regained. The rebels were repulsed. Their attack had 
failed. We stood where we began. Rebel cavalry were within half a mile 
of us. The retreating columns were within striking distance. But we had 
regained our camps. And so ended the battle of Pittsburg Landing. — Cin- 
cinnati Gazette. 



!280 THE GKEAT BATTLES. 

BATTLE OF GETTYSBUEG. 

BY J. WniTELAW EEID, 

Field of Battle, near Gettysburg, July, 1863. 

A thousand rumors are afloat. Washington has liad on an old (iishioned 
scare. Hooker is superseded ! and Avhy ? Go ask the Commander-in-Chief. 
Amid this turmoil and excitement I left for the contemplated field of bat- 
tle. Where headquarters were no one knew — somewhere in Maryland or 
Pennsylvania — in the direction of the invading and confident legions of the 
enemy. Baltimore reached, and there a panic also ; trains go and come un- 
certainly in every direction. I went towards Westminster and over the roads 
where eighteen hours ago the rebels had swarmed along. Away on the left 
loomed up amid the driving mists, South Mountain, historic evermore, and 
fitting monument for its own and the contiguous field of Antietam. Moving 
along up a winding turnpike, upturned and bent about by a billowy country 
that, in its cultivation, gave evidence of proximity to Pennsylvania farmers; 
here the army had but just moved up the valley of the Monocacy heading to- 
wards Taney town, where now was headquarters ; and fortunate was I in find- 
ing it, A horseman galloped up and hastily dismounted, bringing tidings of a 
battle near Gettysburg, close by the southern line of Pennsylvania, and 
that Maj.-Gen. Reynolds was already killed. In company with other 
members of the press we mount and spur for Gettysburg — we shall 
precede headquarters but a httle — a long weary struggle, with an aheady 
jaded horse past the solid columns and their straggling infantry, past 
artillery and army equipage that blockades, crowds and surges along in hot 
haste the narrow way to the scene of conflict — on climbing eagerly the 
hills that are crossed by this highway, we strain our eyes to catch the 
first glimpses of the nearing fiefd of battle. A little further on, a turn to 
the left, another slope ascended, and now in front on a gradual declivity 
stands an orchard of gnarled old leafy trees, beyond the valley a range of 
hills but little lower than that on which we stand ; on this slope, half hidden 
among the cluster of trees, is a large cupola-crowned brick building — the 
Theological Seminary ; between this and us a half dozen spires and roofs of 
houses, disting-uishable amid the luxuriant foliage, streets marked by the 
lices of trees — and this is Gettysburg! No sound of bells or children's 
merry-making greets our ears — only now and then a blue, circling curl of 
smoke rises and fades from view. We are standing on Cemetery Hill — the 
key to the whole position. Passing a small frame dwelling and looking in, 
saw the Avreck of yesterday's battle ; the floor was covered with the wounded 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 281 

and dying. In au upper room lay Gen. Wadsworth, wounded in the front 
of yesterday's fight. 

THE BATTLK OF WEDNESDAY. 

I have conversed with four of tl:ie most prominent generals employed in 
that action and any number of subordinates. In the early part of this day 
Maj.-G-en. R('ynolds, commanding the First Corps, moved in solid column 
and entered the streets of Gettysburg. On the other edge of the town the re- 
tiring pickets of the enemy were encountered by our advancing skirmishers. 
A sharp contest ensued; our advance lines were driven in; this fired the 
column, and Gen. Reynolds with little or no recounoisance marched im- 
petuously forward. 

It was fifteen minutes past ten o'clock. The fire of the rebel skirmishers 
rattled along the front, but, shaking it oflf as they had the dew from their 
night's bivouac, the men pushed hotly on. 

Meantime Gen. Reynolds, on receiving his first notice an hour ago from 
Buford's cavalry, that the rebels were in the vicinity of Gett3'sburg, had 
promptly sent word back to Gen. Howard, and asked him, as a prudential 
measure, to bring up the Eleventh corps as rapidly as possible. The 
Eleventh had been coming up on the Emmetsburg road. Finding it crowd- 
ed Avith the train of the First, they had started off on a by-way, leading into 
the Taneytown road, some distance ahead ; and were still on this by-way 
eleven miles from Gettysburg, when Reynold's messenger reached them. 
The fine fellows, with stinging memories of not wholly merited disgi'ace at 
Chancellorsville, started briskly forward, and a little after one their advance 
brigade was filing through the town to the music of the fire above. Gen. 
Reynold's coi'ps consists of three divisions — Wadsworth'.-^, Doubleday's, and 
Robinson's. Wadsworth's (composed of Meredith's and Cutler's brigades — 
both mainly Western troops) had the advance, with Cutler on the right and 
Meredith on the left. Arriving at the Theological Seminary, above the 
town, the near presence of the enemy became manifest, and they placed a 
battery in position to feel him out, and gradually moved forward. 

An engagement, of more or less magnitude, was evidently imminent. 
Gen. Reynolds rode forward to select a position for a line of battle. Un- 
fortunate — sadly unfortunate again — alike for him, Avith all a gallant soldier's 
possibilities ahead of him, and for the country, that so sorely needed liis 
well-tried services. He fell, almost instantly, pierced by a ball from a sharp- 
shooter's rifle, and was borne, dying or dead, to the rear. Gen. Doubleday 
was next iu command. 

The enemy were seen ready. There was no time to wait for orders 
from the new corps commander; instantly, right and left, Cutler and Mere- 
dith wheeled into line of battle on the double-quick. Well-tried troops, 



282 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

those ; no fear of thdr flinching ; veterans of a score of battles — in the war 
some of them from the very start; with the first at Philippi, Laurel Hill, 
Carrick's Ford, Cheat Mountain and all the Western Virginia campaign; 
trusted of Shields at Winchester, and of Lander at Romney and Bloomery 
Gap ; through the campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, and with the army 
of the Potomac in '^very march to the red slaughter sowing that still had 
brought no harvest of victory. Meredith's old Iron Brigade was the Nine- 
teenth Indiana, Twenty-fourth Michigan, Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin — 
veterans all, and well mated with the brave New Yorkers whom Wadsworth 
led. 

Cutler, having th^ advance, opened the attack ; Meredith was at it a few 
minutes later. Short, sharp fighting, the enemy handsomely repulsed, three 
hundred rebel prisoners taken. General Archer himself reported at their 
head — such was the auspicious opening. No wonder the First determined 
to hold its ground. 

Tet they were ill-prepared for the contest that was coming. Their 
guns had sounded the tocsin for the Eleventh, but so they had too for 
Ewell, already ma-ching down from York to rejoin Lee. They were 
fighting two divisions of A. P. Hill's now — numerically stronger than their 
dwindled three. Their batteries were not up in sufficient numbers ; on 
Meredith's left — a point that especially needed protection, there were none 
at all. A battery with Buford's cavalry stood near. Wadsworth cut red 
tape and in an insiant.ordered it up. The captain, preferring red tape to 
red fields, refused to obey. Wadsworth ordered him under arrest, could 
find no officer for the battery, and finally fought it under a sergeant. Ser- 
jeant and captain there should henceforth exchange places. 

The enemy repulse.'., the First advanced their lines and took the position 
lately held by the rebels. Very heavy skirmishing, almost developing at 
times into a general musketiy engagement, followed. Our men began to 
discover that they were opposing a larger force. Their own line, long and 
thin, bent and wavered occasionally, but bore bravelj'- up. To the left, 
where the fire seemed the hottest, there were no supports at all, and 
Wadsworth's division, which had been in the longest, was suffiiring severely. 

About one o'clock Maj.-Gen. Howard, riding in advance of his hasten- 
ing corps, arrived on the field and assumed command. Carl Schurz was 
thus left in command of the Eleventh, while Doubleday remained tempo- 
rarily Reynold's successor in the First. 

The advance of the Eleventh soon came up and was thrown into position 
to the right of the First. They had little fighting immediately — but their 
time was coming. Meantime the First, that had already lost its general 
commanding and had held its ground against superior numbers, without 
supports, from ten till nearly two, took fi-esh courage as another corps came 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 283 

up, and all felt certain of ^Yinning the day. But alas ! the old, old game 
was playing. The enemy was concentrating faster than we. 

About half-past two that afternoon, standing where we now stand, on 
Cemetery Hill, one might have seen a long, gray line creeping down the pike 
and near the railroad on the north-east side of the town. Little pomp ia 
their march, but much haste ; few wagons, but the amraunitiou trains all up; 
and the battle-flags that float over their brigades are not our flags. It is 
the road from York — these are Stonewall Jackson's men — led now by 
Stonewall Jackson's most trusted and loved Lieutenant, Gen. Evvcll. That 
gray serpent, bending in and out through the distant hills, decides the day. 

They are in manifest communication with Hill's corps, now engaged, 
fully advised of their early losses, and of the exact situation. They bend up 
from the York road, debouch in the woods near the crest of the hill, and by 
three o'clock, with the old yell and the old familiar tactics, their battle-line 
comes charging down. 

Small resistance is made on our right. The Eleventh does not flee 
wildly from its old antagonists, as at their last meeting, when Stonewall 
Jackson scattered them as if they had been pigmies, foolishly venturing into 
the war of the Titans. It even makes stout resistance for a little while; but 
the advantage of position, as of numbers, is all with the rebels, and the line 
is forced to retire. It is done deliberatelj' and without confusion, till they 
reach the town. Here the evil genius of the Eleventh falls upon it again. 
To save the troops from the terrible enfilading fire through the streets, the 
officers wheel them by detachments into cross-streets, and attempt to march 
them thus around one square after another, diagonally, through the town. 
The Germans are confused by the manoeuvre ; perhaps the old panic at the 
battle-cry of Jackson's flying corps comes over them ; at any rate they 
break in wild confusion, some pouring through the town a rout, and are 
with difficulty formed again on the heights to the southward. They lose 
over one thousand two hundred prisoners in twenty minutes. One of their 
generals, Schempelfennig, an old officer in the Eussian service in the 
Crimean war, is cut ofl", but he shrewdly takes to cover, conceals himse." 
somewhere in the town, and finally escapes. 

But while our right is thus suddenly wiped out, how fares it with.tlio 
left — Robinson and Doubleday, and sturdy Wadsworth, with the Western 
troops ? Sadly enough. 

By half-past three, as they counted the time, the whole of A. P. Hill's 
corps, acting in concert now with Ewell, precipitated itsek" upon their fine. 
These men are as old and tried soldiers as there are in the war, and they 
describe the fire that followed as the most terrific they have ever known. 
In a single brigade, (Cutler's,) in twenty minutes, every staff-officer had his 
horse shot under him, some of them two and three. In thirty minutes not 



284 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

a horse was left to general or staff, save one, and that one — as if the grim 
mockery of war there sought to outdo itself — had his tail shot offl Gen. 
Cutler himself had three horses shot under him. 

Few troops could stand it. All of the First corps could not. Presently 
the thin line of fire began to waver and bend and break under those terrible 
volleys from the dark w^aods above. The officers, brave almost always to a 
fault, sought to keep them in. One — his name deserves to be remembered — 
Capt. Richardson, of the Seventh Wisconsin, seized the colors of a retreating 
Pennsylvania regiment, and strove to rally the men around their flag. 

The right of tlie corps gave way. The fierce surge of Ewell's attack 
had beaten up to their front, and, added to Hill's heavy fire, forced them 
slowly back. 

Wadsworth still holds on — ^for a few minutes more his braves protract 
the carnival of death. Doubleday managed to get three regiments over to 
their support ; Colonel Biddle's Pennsylvania regiment came in and behaved 
most gallantly. Colonel Stephenson, who all the day had been serving in 
the hottest of the fight as aid to Meredith, relieved a wounded colonel, and 
strove to rally his regiment. Meredith himself, with his Antietam wound 
hardly yet ceasing to pain him, is struck again, a mere bruise, however — on 
the head, with a piece of shell. At the same instant his large, heavy horse 
falls, mortally wounded, bears the general under him to the ground, and 
beats him there with his head and shoulders in his death convulsions. 

It is idle fighting Fate. Ewell turned the scale with the old, historic 
troops ; brave men may now well retire before double their number equally 
brave. When the Eleventh corps fell back, the flank of the First was ex- 
posed ; when the right of the First fell back, Wadsworth's flank was exposed, 
already flushed with their victory, rebels were pouring up against front and 
both flanks of the devoted brigades. They had twice cleared their front of 
rebel lines; mortal men could now do no more. And so, "slowly and 
sullenly firing," the last of them came back. 

Meantime, the fate of the army had been settled. It was one of those 
great crises that come rarely more than once in a lifetime. For Major-Gren. 
Howard, brave, one-armed, Christian fighting hero, the crisis had come. 

His command — two corps of the grand army of the Potomac — were 
repulsed, and coming back in full retreat, a few sturdy brigades in order, 
the most in sad confusion. One cavalry charge, twenty minutes' well- 
dh'ected cannonading, might wipe out nearly a third of the army, and leave 
Meade powerless for the defence of the North. These corps must be saved, 
and saved at once. 

At this juncture Maj.-Gen. Honcock arrived and took command, and in 
conjunction with Gen. Howard the Cemetery Hill was instantly selected. 
The troops were taken to the rear and re-formed under cover. Batteries 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, 285 

hurried up, and when the rebel pursuit had advanced half-way through the 
town a thunderbolt leaped out from the whole length of that line of crest and 
smote them where they stood. The battle was ended, the corps were saved. 
The last desperate attack lasted nowhere along the line over forty 
minutes ; with most of it hardly over half so long. One single brigade, 
that "iron" column that held the left, went in one.thousand eight hundred 
and twenty strong. It came out with seven hundred men. A few were 
prisoners ; a few concealed themselves in houses and escaped — near a 
thousand of them were killed and wounded. Its fellow brigade wont in 
one thousand five hundred strong; it came out with forty-niue oflicers and 
five hundred and forty-nine men killed and wounded, and six ofBcers and 
five hundred and eighty-four men missing and their fate unknown. Who 
shall say that they did not go down into the very valley of the Shadow of 
Death on that terrible afternoon ? 

THE BATTLE-FIELD. 

Whoever would carry in his mind a simple map of our positions in the 
great battles of Thursday and Friday, the 2d and 3d of July, at Gettysburg, 
has but to conceive a broad capital A, bisected by another line drawn down 
fi"om the top and equi-distant from each side. These three straight lines 
meeting at the top of the letter are the three roads along Avhich our army 
advanced, and between and on which lay the battle-field. The junction of 
the lines is Gettysburg. The middle line, running nearly north and south, 
is the road to Taneytown. The right-hand line, running south-east, is the 
Baltimore pike. That on the left is the Erametsburg road. 

Almost at the junction of the lines, and resting on the left-hand side of 
the Baltimore pike, is the key to the whole position — Cemetery Hill. 
This constitutes our extreme front, lies just south of Gettysburg, overlooks 
and completely commands the town, the entire valley to right and left, the 
whole space over which the rebels advanced to af.tack our centre, and a 
portion of the Avoods from which the rebel lines on their centre debouched. 

Standing on this hill and facing north (toward the town) you have, just 
across the Baltimore pike, ar:other liill, almost as high, and crowned like the 
Cemetery with batteries that rake the centre front. Farther to the right 
and rear, the country is broken into a series of short, billowy ridges, every 
summit of which affords a location for a battery. Through these passes the 
little valley of Rock Creek, crossing the Baltimore turnpike a couple of miles 
or so from town, and thus affording a good covered way for a rebel move- 
ment to attempt (by passing down the valley from the woods beyond this 
range of hills) to pierce our right wing, and penetrate to the rear of our 
centre. 



286 THE GEEAT BATTLES. 

On the left the hills are lower, afford fewer eligible positions for batteries, 
and are commanded by the heights on the rebel side. 

The space between these lines is rolling, and in parts quite hilly ; par- 
tially under cultivation, the rest lightly timbered ; passable nearly every- 
■where for infantry and cavalry, in most parts for artillery also. 

OUR LINE OF BATTLE. 

The reader can now in an instant trace for himself our hne of battle on 
the bisected A. Near the apex, the Cemetery, of course ; batteries around 
the crest ; infantry in line of battle down the declivity, in the orchard, and 
sweeping over the Taneytown road and'up to that to Emmetsburg. Then 
along the. stone fence which skirts the hither side of the Emmetsburg road 
for say half a mile. Then, bending in from the road a little, leaving its pos- 
session to our skirmishers alone, and so passing back for a mile and a half 
farther, in a line growing more and more distant from the Emmetsburg road, 
and nearer that to Taneytown. These are the lines of centre and left. Be- 
ginning at tlie Cemetery again, our right stretches across the Baltimore pike 
and along the range of liills already described, in a direction that grows 
nearly parallel with the pike, (at a distance from it of a quarter to half a 
mile,) and down it a couplo of miles. Measuring all its sinuosities, the line 
must be about five miles long. 

THE REBEL LINES AND ORDER OF BATTLE. 

All the country fronting this remarkable horse-shoe line is virtually in 
the hands of the rebels. It will be seen that their lines must be longer than 
ours, and that in moving from one point to another of the field they are 
compelled to make long detoitrSj while our troops can be thrown from left to 
right, or from either to centre, with the utmost ease, and by the shortest 
routes. 

Take the crescent of the new moon, elongate the horns a little, turn the 
hollow side toward our positions, and you have the general direction the 
rebels were compelled to give their line of battle. As was seen in Wednes- 
day's fight, Jackson's old corps, under Ewell, formed their left — opposite 
our right; while A. P. HiU held their centre, and Longstreet, who arrived 
early Thursday morning, their right. 

OUR ORDER OF BATTLE. 

On our front the line of battle was arranged by Gen. Meade, at an early 
hour on Thursday morning, as follows: On the centre, holding Cemetery 
Hill and the declivity in its front, Maj.-Gen. Howard, with his Eleventh 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 287 

corps. Across the pike, on the a':ljacent hill to the right, what was left of 
the First corps. Next to it, and stretching to our extreme right, Ma,j.-GeQ, 
Slocum, with his Twelfth corps. Beginning again at the Cemetery Hill, and 
going toward the left, we have first, next to Howard, the Second corps, 
Maj.-Gen. Hancock; next to it, the Third, Maj.-Gen. Sickles; and partly to 
the rear of the Third, and subsequently brought up on the extreme left, the 
Fifth corps, Maj.-Gen. Sykes. The Sixth corps, Maj.-Gen. Sedgwick, was 
kept near the Taneytown pike, in the rear, and constituted the only reserve 
of the array. 

Our troops were not concentrated so early as those of the rebels, and but 
for their caution in so long feeling about our lines before making an attack, 
we might have suffered in consequence. Sedgwick's corps did not all get 
up till nearly dark Thursday evening, having been sent away beyond West- 
minster with a view to the intended movement on York. The Twelfth 
corps had arrived about sunset, Wednesday evening, a couple of hours or 
more after our repulse beyond Gettysburg ; the Second and Third during 
tliat night, and the Fifth about ten Thursday morning. For Thui-sday's 
fight the Fifth constituted the only reserve. 

THURSDAY TILL FOUR o'CLOCK. 

All Thursday forenoon there was lively firing between our skirmishers 
and those of the enemy. Standing on Cemetery Hill I could see the long 
line of our skirmishers stretching around centre and left, well advanced, lying 
flat on the ground in the meadows or corn-fields and firing at will as they 
lay. With a glass the rebel line could be even more distinctly seen. Oc- 
casionally the gray-coated fellows rose from cover, and with a yell rushed 
on our men, firing as they came. Once or twice in the half-hour that I 
watched them, they did tliis with such impetuosity as to force our skirmish- 
ers back, and call out a shell or two from our nearest batteries — probably 
the very object their officers had in view. 

Toward noon I rode over to general headquarters, which had been 
established in a little, square, one-story, white-washed frame house, to the 
left and rear of the Cemetery, and just under the low hill where our left 
joined the centre. No part of the hue was visible from the spot, and it had 
been chosen, I suppose, because while within a three minutes' gallop of the 
Cemetery, or the hither portion of the left, it seemed comparatively protect- 
ed by its situation. The choice was a bad one. Next to the Cemetery, it 
proved the hottest point on the field. 

Gen. Meade had finished his arrangement of the lines. Reports of the 
skirmishing were coming in ; the facts developed by certain reconnoisances 
were being presented. Gen. Williams and Maj. Barstow, the Adjutant- 



288 ' THE GREAT BATTLES. 

Generals, were hard at Avork sending out the orders ; aids and orderlies were 
galloping Oil' and back ; Gen. Warren, acting Chief of Staff, was with the 
Genera] Commanding, poring over the maps of the field which the engineers 
liad just finished, most of the staflf were stretched beneath an apple tree, 
■ esting while they could. 

It seemed that a heavy pressure had been brought to bear for an attack 
on the enemy, by the heads of columns in divisions, pouring the whole army 
on the enemy's centre, and smashing through it after the old Napoleonic 
plan ; but Meade steadily resisted. The enemy was to fight him whei'e he 
stood, was to come under the range of this long chain of batteries on the 
crests. Wisely decided, as the event proved. 

The afternoon passed on in calm and cloudless splendor. From head- 
quarters I rode down the left, then back to Slocum's headquarters, on a high 
hill, half or three-quarters of a mile south from the Cemetery, on the Balti- 
more pike. Everywhere quiet, the men stretched lazily on the ground in 
line of battle, horses attached to the caissons, batteries unlimbered and gun- 
ners resting on their guns. 

The thunderbolts were shut up, like JEolus' winds; it seemed as if the 
sun might set in peace over all this mighty enginery of destruction, held in 
calm, magnificent reserve. 

THE REBEL ATTACK ON THE LEFT. 

But unseen hands were letting loose the elements. Gen. Meade had not 
failed to see the comparatively exposed position of our left ; and between 
three and four the order was sent out for the extreme left — then formed by 
•Sickles's (Third) corps — to advance. If the enemy was preparing to attack 
us there, our advance would soon unmask his movements. 

It did. The corps moved out, spiritedly, of course — when, even in dis- 
astrous days, did it go otherwise to battle ? — and by four o'clock had found 
the rebel advance. Longstreet was bringing up his Avhole corps — nearly a 
third of the rebel army — to precipitate upon our extreme left. The fight at 
once opened, with artillery first, presently with crashing roars of musketry, 
too. Rebel batteries were already in position, and some of them enfiladed 
Sickles's line. Our own were hastily set to work, and the most dangerous 
of the rebel guns were partially silenced. Then came a rebel charge, with 
the wild yell and rush ; it is met by a storm of grape and canister fi-om our 
guns, depressed to rake them in easy range. The line is shattered and sent 
whirling back on the instant. Long columns almost immediately afterward 
begin to debouch from the woods to the rear of the rebel batteiies — another 
and a grander charge is jDreparing. Gen. Warren who, as Chief of Staff, is 
overlooking the fight for the Commanding General, sends back for moi-e 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBUKG. 289 

troops. Alas ! Sedgwick's corps is not yet available. We liave only the 
Fifth for the reserves. Howard and Hancock are already at work on the 
centre and left centre. But Hancock advances, and the fire grows intenser 
still along the whole line of the left. 

Meantime, Cemetery Hill is raked at once from fiont and left, and the 
shells from rebel batteries on the left carry over even into the positions held 
by our right. The battle rages on but one side, but death moves visibly 
over the whole field, from line to line, and front to rear. Trains are hurried 
away on the Baltimore pike ; the unemployed df^ris of the army takes 
alarm, a panic in the rear seems impending. Guards thrown hastily across 
the roads to send the runaways back, do something to repress it. 

The rebel lines we have seen debouching between their batteries on 
Sickles's front slowly advance. The fight grows desperate, aid after aid is 
sent for reenforcements ; our front wavers, the line of flame and smoke 
sways to and fro, but slowly settles backward. Sickles is being — not driven 
— ^but pushed back. At last the reserve comes in ; the advance of the 
brigades of the Fifth wind down among the rocks and enter the smoke, the 
lines braces up, advances, halts soon, but comes no more back. The left is 
not overpowered yet. We have had two hours of exceedingly severe ar- 
tillery and musketry fighting. The enemy still holds a little of the ground 
we had, but the chances seem almost even. 

ONE PHASE — A TYPE OF MANY. 

I cannot trace the movements further in detail ; let me give one phase 
of the fight, fit type of many more. Some Massachusetts batteries — Capt. 
Bigelow's, Capt. Phillips's, two or three more under Capt. McGilvry, of 
Maine — were planted on the extreme left, advanced now well down to the 
Emmetsburg road, with infantry in their front — the first division, I think, 
of Sickles's corps. A Utile after five, a fierce rebel charge drove back the 
infantry anil menace tbe batteries. Orders are sent to Bigelow on the ex- 
treme left, to hold his position at every hazard short of sheer annihilation, 
till a couple more batteries can be brought to his support. Reserving his 
fire a little, then with depressed guns opening with double charges of grape 
and canister, he smites and shatters, but cannot break the advancing line. 
His grape and canister are exhausted, and still, closing grandly up over their 
slain, on they come. He falls back on spherical case, and pours this in at 
the shortest range. On, still onward comes the artillery-defying line, and 
still he holds his position. They are within six paces of the guns — he firea 
again. Once more, and he blows devoted soldiers from his very muzzles. 
And still mindful of that solemn order, he holds liis place. They spring 
upon his carriages and shoot down his horses I And then, his Yankee ar- 



290 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

tillei'ists still about him, he seizes the guns by hand, and from the very front 
of that line drags two of thera oif. The caissons are further back — five out 
of the six are saved. 

That single company, in that half-hour's fight, lost thirty-three of its 
men, including every sergeant it had. The captain himself was wounded. 
Yet it was the first time it was ever under fire I I give it simply as a type. 
So they fought along that fiery line I 

The rebels now poured on Phillip's battery, and it too, was forced to 
drag oQ^ the pieces by hand when the horses were shot down. From a 
new position it opened again; and at last the two reenforcing batteries 
came up on the gallop. An enfilading fire swept the rebel line ; Sickle's 
gallant infantry charged, the rebel line swept back on a refluent tide — we 
regained the lost ground, and every gun just lost in this splendid fight. 

Once more I repeat, this is but a type. 

RE-ENFORCEMENTS CALLED IN FROM THE RIGT. 

Slocum, too, came into the fight. The reserves were all used up ; the 
right seemed safe. It Avas believed from the terrific attack that the whole 
rebel army, Ewell's corps included, was massed on our centre and left ; and 
BO a single brigade was left to hold the rifle-pits constructed through the day 
along the whole line of the Twelfth, on the right ; and the rest of the corps 
came across the little neck of land to strengthen our weakening line. 
Needful, perhaps, but perilous in the extreme. 

THE CLOSE. 

At six the cannonade grew fiercer than ever, and the storm of dealn 
swept over the field from then till darkness ended the conflict. In the main 
our strengthened columns held the line. At points they were forced back a 
little ; a few prisoners were lost. On the whole the rebels were unsuccess- 
ful, but we had not quite held our own. 

Some caissons had been blown up on either side ; a barn on the Em- 
metsburg road was fired by the rebel shells, and its light gave their sharp- 
shooters a little longer time at that point to work. Both sides lay on their 
arms exhausted, but insatiate, to wait for the dawning. 

RESULTS AND DOUBTFUL ISSUE. 

The Third and Second corps were badly shattered. The Eleventh had 
not been quite so much engaged — its artillery had kept the rebels at a 
greater distance — but it had behaved well. Sickles was wounded — a leg 
shot off; Gen. Zook was killed ; our own old townsman, Col. Cross, was 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 29 J 

killed ; the farm-houses and barns for miles were filled with the wounded. 
The rebels had left us Barksdale, dying ; what other losses they had met we 
could only conjecture from the piles of dead the last rays of the sun had 
shown along their front. 

And so, with doubtful prospects, darkness came like a wall between us, 
and compelled nature's truce. 

From the right there came sudden sharp volleys of cheers; Ewell had 
not gone ; a hasty rush had carried some of Slocum's rifle-pits, protected 
only by the long-drawn-out line of a single brigade. It was a gloomy close. 
That was our strongest point, where Jackson's men had gained this fortified 
foot-hold. 

Now, indeed, if ever, may the nation well wrestle with God in prayer. 
"We have fought but three hours and a half; have lost on both flanks; have 
called every reserve we had on the field into action, and with daybreak 
must hold these shattered columns to the work again. 

THE OPENING, FRIDAY MORNING. 

At daybreak crashing volleys woke the few ^^eepers there were. A 
fusilade ran along the line — each had felt the other, then came cautious 
skirmishing again. 

But on the right there was no cessation. Ewell's men were in posses- 
sion of part of our rifle-pits, and sought to gain the remainder ; Slocum must 
defend the one part and regain the other at every hazard. They were 
fighting Stonewall Jackson's men — it might well be desperate work. 

I had gone down the Baltimore pike at night to find a resting-place — 
coming up between four and five, I heard clearly on the right the old 
charging cheer. Once, twice, three times I counted it, as my horse pushed 
his way for less than a mile through the cu.ious or coward throng that ebbed 
and flowed along the pike. Each time a charge was made, each time the 
musketry fire leaped out from our line more terrific than before, and still the 
ground was held. To the left and centre, firing gradually ceased. All 
interest was concentrated on. this fierce contest on the right ; the rest of 
the fine on either side was bracing itself for siill more desperate work. 

From four to five there was heavy cannonading also, from our batteries 
nearest the contested points, but the artillery fire diminished and presently 
ceased. The rebels made no reply ; we were firing at random, and it was 
a useless waste of ammunition. A cloud of smoke curled up from the dark 
woods on the right; the musketry crash continued with unparalleled 
tenacity and vehemence, wounded men came back over the fields, a few 
stragglers were hurried out to the front, ammunition was kept conveniently 
near the line. 

In the fields to the left of the Baltimore pike stood the reserve artillerv. 



292 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

■with horses harnessed to the pieces and ready to move on the instant. 
Cavalry, too, was drawn up in detachments here and there. Moved over 
already within supporting distance of Slocum's hne stood a part of Sedg- 
wick's corps, (the reserve of to-day,) ready for the emergency that seemed 
likely soon to demand it. Occasional bullets from the rebel front spattered 
against the trees and fences. Now and then a Minie went over with its 
buzzing hiss, but the pike was too nearly out of range to be cleared of the 
watching throng. 

GENERAL SICKLES. 

Through this throng, with slow tread, there came a file of soldiers, 
armed, but marching to the rear. It was a guard of honor for one who 
well deserved it. On a stretcher, borne by a couple of stout privates, lay 
General Sickles — but yesterday leading his corps with all the enthusiasm 
and dash for which he has been distinguislied — to-day with his right leg 
amputated, and lying there, grim and stoical, with his- cap pulled over 
his eyes, his hands cajmly folded across his breast, and a cigar in his 
mouth/ For a man who had just lost a leg, and whose life was yet in im- 
minent jeopardy, it was cool indeed. He was being taken to the nearest 
railroad line, to be carried to some city where he could get most careful 
attendance ; and the guard that accompanied him showed that already 
there were some apprehensions for the rear. 

There was reason for it. Less than an hour later orders were issued 
from Pleasanton's headquarters, a mile or so further back on the Baltimore 
pike, for Gregg to take his cavalry force and guard against a dash down the 
valley of Eock Creek into the rear and centre. The rebels met the prepara- 
tion and drew back to try it soon again further out the line. 

THE BATTLE ON THE RIGHT. 

I rode up the high hill where General Slocum's headquarters were 
established ; but though it afforded an excellent view of most of our posi- 
tions, the fight going on was concealed by a " mask of woods on the distant 
hills. The Rodman guns on the hill were all manned, and the gunners were 
eager to try their range, but it still seemed useless. Firing in the woods, 
they were as likely to hit friend as foe. Signal oflBcers here were in com- 
munication with general headquarters, with Howard on Cemetery Hill, 
Hancock next to him on the right, and one Or two of the headquarters on 
the left. There was no fear of lack of certain communication between the 
different portions of the field, let the fortunes of the day go what way they 
would. 

As I rode down the slope and up through the wheat-fields to Cemetery 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 293 

ITill, tlie batteries began to open again on points along our outer line. 
They were evidently playing on wliat had been Slocnm's line of yesterday. 
The rebels, then, were there still, in our rifle-pits. Presently the battery on 
Slocum's hill gained the long-sought permission, and opened, too, aiming 
apparently in the same direction. Other batteries along the inner line, just 
to the left of the Baltimore pike, followed the signal, and as one after another 
opened up, till every little crest between Slocum's headquarters and Ceme- 
tery Hill began belching its thunder, I had to change my course through 
the wheat-fields to avoid our own shells. 

Still no artillery response from the rebels. Could they be short of 
ammunition? Could they have failed to bring up all their guns? Were 
they, perhaps, massing artillery elsewhere, and only keeping up this furious 
crash of musketry on the right as a blind ? 

By eight o'clock I had reached Cemetery Hill. Yesterday's conflict was 
more plainly inscribed on the tombstones than the virtues of the buried 
dead they commemorated. Shells had ploughed up lately sodded graves ; 
round shot liad shattered marble columns ; dead horses lay about among the 
monuments, and the gore of dead men soaked the soil and moistened the 
roots of flowers on the old graves. 

This morning it was comparatively quiet again. Sharp-shooters from 
the houses in the town were picking olF oflicers who exposed themselves 
along the crest. They knew that we did not want to shell the place, and 
presumed upon the forbearance of our artillery. The annoyance had at last 
become too serious, and one of our guns had been directed to dislodge a 
nest of the most audacious and the surest aimed by battering down the 
house from which they were firing. It was the only house in Gettysburg 
we harmed throughout the oattles. 

To the front skirmishers were still at work, but in a desultory way. All 
eyes were turned to the right ; where now that our artillery had taken its 
share in the contest, its intensity seemed but redoubled by Ewell's men. 
Distinctly, even amid all this roai', there came up the sound of another of 
those ominous cheers; and the hurricane of crashing sound that followed 
seemed tearing the forest trees and solid hillside asunder. It was another 
rebel charge. Standing by the gate-keeper's lodge, with a glass I could dis- 
tinctly see our shattered line swinging irregularly and convulsively back 
from those death-bearing woods. The rebel yells redoubled, but so did our 
artillery fire, now that the gunners saw exactly where to throw. The re- 
treat lasted for but a moment, the line straightened, ralUed, plunged into the 
woods again. 



294 THE GREA.T BATTLES. 

A TRIED GENERAL. 

All this while — the fii'e gradually getting a little hotter on the hill, and 
an occasional shell from the rebel guns, now beginning to open, coming 
over — Gen. Howard was calmly reclining against a hillock by a grave-stone, 
with his stafiF about him. One or two he kept constantly watching the 
right, and occasionally sweeping the whole rebel line with their glasses; 
the rest were around him, ready for instant service. I have seen many men 
in action but never one so imperturbably cool as this general of the Eleventh 
corps. I watched him closely as a Minie whizzed overhead. / dodged, of 
course ; I never expect to get over that habit ; but I am confident he did 
not move a muscle by the fraction of a hair's breadth. 

PROGRESS ON THE RIGHT, 

About a quarter after nine the conflict in the woods to the right seemed 
to be culminating. Clouds of smoke obscured the view, but beyond that 
smoke we knew that our noble line — the Twelfth and a part of the First, 
with some reserves, were now engaged — was holding its ground ; the direc- 
tion of the sound even seemed to indicate that it was gaining, but of course 
that was a very uncertain test. " Ride over to Gen. Meade," said Howard 
to one of his aids, " and tell him the fighting on the right seems more terrific 
than ever, and appears swinging somewhat towards the centre, but that we 
know little or nothing of how the battle goes, and ask him if he has any 
orders." In a few minutes the aid galloped back. " The troops are to stand 
to arms, sir, and watch the front." 

Meantime there was a little diversion away down towards the extreme 
right. A brigade had been thrown east of Rock Creek to watch the pos- 
sible attempt at repeating the eiFort to get down the valley into our rear. 
Finding a good opportunity, it began to pour in its volleys upon Ewell's 
flank. The audacity of a single brigade attempting such a thing was be- 
yond rebel suspicion; they naturally thought a Ijcavy force was turning 
their flank, and were less inclined to push on Slocum's sorely pressed men 
in front. 

Nothing seemed to come of Howard's " watching the front;" the fire of 
skirmishers revived occasionally, and then died away again ; and finally, 
about a quarter before ten, I started over to general headquarters. In de- 
scending the Cemetery Hill, and crossing the intervening fields, I noticed 
that some bullets were beginning to come over from our left, but supposed 
them of course to be merely stray shots from the rebel skirmishers. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 295 

THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AT HEADQUARTERS. 

Headquarters presented a busy scene. Meade Avas receiving reports in 
the little liou?e, coming occasionally to the door to address a hasty inquiry 
to some one in the group of stafF-officers under the tree. Quick and nervous 
in his movements, but calm, and as it seemed to me, lit up with the glow of 
the occasion, he looked more the general, and less the student I had thought 
him. Polished, fasliionable looking Pleasanton, riding-whip resting in the 
leg of one of his jack-boots, and neatly-fitting kids drawn over his hands, 
occasionally put in some earnest remark. Warren, cairn, absorbed, earnest 
as ever, was constantly in consultation with the commander. 

In all matters of detail, Williams or Maj. Barstow was referred to as to 
.in encyclopedia. Orderlies and aids were momentarily dashing up with re- 
ports and off with orders ; the signal-officers were bringing in the reports 
telegraphed by the signal-flags from the different crests that overlooked the 
fight The rest of the staff stood ready for any duty, and outside the little 
garden-fence a great group of horses stood hitched. 

- V HEADQUARTERS UNDER FIRE. 

Mr. Samuel Wilkinson, of the N. Y. Times, my companion from Balti- 
more, was up at last, and very sad. His son, a gallant young lieutenant of 
regular artillery, had had his leg shot off in Wednesday's disastrous fight, 
and whether hving now or dead he could not tell ; he was a prisoner (or a 
corpse) in Gettysburg. My friend W. has so vividly described the fire at 
headquarters that I must be allowed to reproduce it. 

" In the shadow cast by the tiny farm-house, sixteen by twentj'-, which 
Gen. Meade had made his headquarters, lay wearied staff-officers and tired 
correspondents. There was not wanting to the peacefulness of the scene 
the singing of ^ bird, which had a nest in a peach tree within the tiny yard 
of the white-washed cottage. In the midst of its warbling, a shell screamed 
over the house, instantly followed by another and another, and in a moment 
the air was full of the most complete artillery prelude to an infantry battle 
that was ever exhibited. Every size and form of shell known to British and to 
American gunnery, shrieked, whirled, moaned, and whistleil and wrathfully 
fluttered over our ground. As many as six in a second, constantly two in a 
second, bursting and screaming over and around the headquarters, made a 
very hell of fire that amazed the oldest officers. They burst in tlie yard — 
burst next to the fence on both sides, garnished as usual vrith the hitched 
horses of aids and orderlies. The fastened animals reared and plunged with 
terror. Then one fell, then another — sixteen lay dead and mangled before 
Uie fire ceased, stiU fastened by their halters, which gave the expression of 



296 THE GREAT BATTtES. 

being wickedly tied up to die painfully. .Tl:ese brute victims of a cruel war 
touched all hearts. Through the midst of the storm of screaming and ex- 
ploding shells, an ambulance driven by its frenzied conductor at full speed, 
presented to all of us the marvellous spectacle of a horse going rapidly on 
three legs. A hinder one liad been shot off at the hock. A shell tore up 
the little step at the headquarters cottage, and ripped bags of oats as with a 
knife. Another soon carried oflf one of its two pillars. Soon a spherical 
case burst opposite tlie open door — another ripped through the low garret. 
The remaining pillar went almost immediately to the howl of a tixed shot 
that Whitworth must have made. During this fire the horses at twenty 
and thirty feet distant were receiving their death, and soldiers in Federal 
blue were torn to pieces in the road, and died with the peculiar yells tliat 
blend the extorted cry of pain with horror and despair. Not an orderly — 
not an ambulance — not a straggler was to be seen upon the plain swept by 
this tempest of orchestral death, thirty minutes after it commenced. Were 
not one hundred and twenty pieces of artillery trying to cut from the field 
every battery we had in position to resist their purposed infantry attack, 
and to sweep away the slight defences behind which our infantry were' 
waiting? Forty minutes — fifty minutes — counted watches that ran, oh I so 
languidly 1 Shells through the two lower rooms. A shell into the chimney, 
that daringly did not explode. Shells in the yard. The air thicker and 
fuller and more deafening with the howling and whizzing of these infernal 
missiles. The Chief of Stall' struck — Seth Williams — loved and respected 
through the army, seperated fi-om instant death by two inches of space 
vertically measured. An aid bored with a fragment of iron through the bone 
of the arm. And the time measured on the sluggish watches was one hour 
and forty minutes." 

RISE AND EBB OF THE TIDE OF BATTLE. 

It had been a sudden concentration of terrific artillery fire, on our left, 
with a view to silence our batteries, and sweep resistance from the slopes 
before they charged. But they did not find us unprepared. The tornado 
of death that swept over tlie fields leveled much before it, but not all. 

THE LAST DESPERATE ATTACK. 

Then there was a lull, and we knew that the rebel infantry was charging. 
And splendidly they did this work — the highest and severest test of the 
Btufif that soldiers are made of. Hill's division, in line of battle, came 
first on the double-quick. Tlieir muskets at the " right slioulder-shift." 
Longstreet's came as tlie support, at the usual distance, with war cries and 



BA'JTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 297 

a savage insolence as yet untutored by defeat. They ruslied in perfect 
order across the open field up to the very muzzles of the guns, which tore 
lanes through them as they came. But they met men who were their 
equals in spirit and their superiors in tenacity. There never was bettei 
fighting since Thermopylae than was done by our infantry and artillery. 
The rebels were over our defences. They liad cleared cannoneers and horses 
from one of the guns, and where whirling it around to use upon us. The 
bayonet drove them back. But so hard pressed was this brave infantry that 
at one time, from the exhaustion of their ammunition, every battery upon 
the principal crest of attack was silent except Cro wen's. His service of 
grape and canister was awful. It enabled our line, outnumbered two I) 
one, first to beat back Longstreet and then to charge upon him, and take a 
great number of his men prisoners. Strange sight I So terrible was our 
musketry and artillery fire, that when ArmLstead's brigade was checked in 
its charge, and stood reeling, all of its men dropped their muskets and 
crawled on their hands and knees underneath the stream of shot close to 
our troops, when they made signs of surrendering. They passed our ranks 
scarcely noticed, and slowly went down the slope to the road in the rear. 
Before they got there the grand charge of Ewell, solemnly severe and care- 
fully prepared, had fiiiled. The rebels had retreated to their lines and opened 
another storm of shell and shot from their 120 guns. Those who remained 
at the riddled headquarters will remember the crouching and dodging and 
running of the butternut-colored captives when they got under this, their 
friends' fire. It was appalling to as good soldiers as they were. 

The great, desperate, final charge came at four. The rebels seemed to 
have gathered up all their strength and desperation for one fierce, convul- 
sive effort, that should sweep over and wash out our obstinate resistance. 
They swept up as before, the flower of their army to the front, victory 
staked upon the issue. In some places they literally lifted up and pushed 
back our lines, biit, that terrible "position" of ours! — wherever they entered 
it, enfilading fires from half a score of crests swept away their columns like 
merest chaff. Broken and hurled back, they easily fell into our hands, and 
on the centre and left the last half-hour brought more prisoners than all the 
rest. 

So it was along the whole hne ; but it was on the Second corps that the 
flower of the rebel army was concentrated ; it was there that the heaviest 
shock beat upon and shook and even sometimes crumbled our line. 

We had some shallow rifle-pits, with barricades of rails from the fences. 
The rebel line, stretching away miles to the left, in magnificent array, but 
strongest here — Pickett's splendid division of Longstreet's corps in front^ 
the best of A. P. Hill's veterans in support — came steadily and as it seemed 
resistlessly sweeping up. Our skirmishers retired slowly from the Emmets- 



298 THE GREAT BATTLES. 

burg road, holding their ground tenaciously to the last. The rebels reserved 
their fire till they reached this same Ernmetsburg road, then opened with a 
terrific crash. From a hundred iron throats, meantime, their artillery had 
been thundering on our barricades. 

Hancock was wounded ; Gibbons succeeded to the command — approved 
soldier, and ready for the crisis. As the tempest of fire approached its 
height, he walked along the line, and renewed his orders to the men to re- 
serve their fire. The rebels — three lines deep — came steadily up. They 
were in point-blank ranse. 

At last the order camel From thrice six thousand guns there. came a 
sheet of smoky flame, a crash, a rush of leaden death. The line literally 
melted away; but there came the second, i-esistless still. It had been our 
supreme effort — on the instant we were not equal to another. 

Up to the rifle-pits, across them, over the barricades — the momentum of 
their charge, the mere machine strength of their combined action swept 
them on. Our thin lines could fight, but it had not weight enough to op- 
pose to this momentum. It was pushed behind the guns. Eight on came 
the rebels. They were upon the guns, were bayoneting the gunners, were 
waving their flags above our pieces. 

But they had penetrated to the fatal point. A storm of grape and 
canister tore its way from man to man and marked its track with corpses 
straight down their line ! They had exposed themselves to the enfilading 
fire of the guns on the western slope of Cemetery Hill; that exposure sealed 
their fate. 

The line reeled back — disjointed already — in an instant in fragments. 
Our men were just behind the guns. They leaped forward upon the disor- 
dered mass ; but there was little need for fighting now. A regiment threw 
down its arms, and, with colors at its head, rushed over and surrendered. 
All along the field smaller detachments did the same. Webb's brigade 
brought in eight hundred taken in as little time as it requires to write the 
simple sentence that tells it. Gibbons's old division took fifteen stand of 
colors. 

Over the fields the escaped fragments of the charging line fell back — 
the battle there was over. A single brigade, Harrow's, (of which the 
Seventh Michigan is part,) came out with fifty-four less officers, seven hun- 
dred and ninety-three less men than it took in! So the whole corps fought 
— so too they fought further down the line. 



It was fruitless sacrifice. They gathered up . their broken fragments, 
formed their lines, and slowly marched away. It was not a rout, it was a 



BATTLE Oi? GETTY8BUKG. 299 

bitter crushing defeat. For once the army of the Potomac had wou a clean, 
honest, acknowledged victory. 

Yet we were very near defeat. Our ammunition had gi'own scant ; the 
reserve ammunition-train had been brought up and drained; but for that we 
should have been left to cold steel. 

Brigade after brigade had been thrown forward to strengthen the line; 
as the rebel attack drifted back over the fields there stood in the rear just 
one single brigade that constituted the entire reserve of the army of the 
Potomac. Forty thousand fresh troops to have hurled forward upon that 
retreating mass would have ended the campaign with the battle ; but, for 
forty thousand we had that one wasted brigade I The rebels were soon 
formed again, and ready for defence— the opportunity was lost 1 

Shells still dropped over the Cemetery, by the headquarters and in the 
wheat-fields toward the Baltimore pike ; but the fight was over. 

Headquarters were established anew under the trees in a little wood 
near Slocum's Hill. Gen. Meade rode up, calm as ever, and called for paper 
and aids ; he had orders already to issue. A band came marching in over 
tlic hill-side ; on the evening air its notes floated out — significant melody — 
"Hail to the Chief." 

" Ah 1 Gen. Meade," said W., "you're in very great danger of being 
President of the United States." "No," said another, more wisely, as it 
seems. " Finish well this work so well begun, and the position you have i3 
better and prouder than President." — Cincinnati Gazette, July 8, 1863. 

OFFICIAL LIST OF LOSSES, ETC. 

Our loss in killed was 2,834; in wounded, 13,709; in missing, 6,643. 
Total, 23,286. We captured 3 guns and 41 standards, 13,621 prisoners, and 
24,978 small arms were gathered from the battle field. — Qen. Meade s Report. 




RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 



A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE BATTLES AND 
EVENTS OF THE WAR. 



It is thought useful to place in this volume of war litera- 
ture a complete record of all the important events that have 
transpired, both on land or sea, and in the civil as well as the 
military departments of our government. 

This record has been compiled at great pains and from 
various and authentic sources, and is believed to be reliable. 

1861. 

APRIL. 

12. — Actual commencement of the war by the bombardment of Fort 
Sumter. The first shot was fired at 4.30 a. m., and was kept up all day 
and at intervals through the night. Tlie rebels using 17 mortars and 30 
long guns — mostly columbiads. — Sumter was silent. 

13. — Fort Sumter opened fire at 7 a. m. Eight o'clock the officer's 
quarters took fixe from a shell. At 10 o'clock a chance shot struck down 
the flag. At noon most of the woodwork of the fort was on fire, and 
many barrels of powder were rolled out to prevent explosion. At 1 p. m. 
the flagstaff was shot away, when the flag was nailed to the piece and dis- 
played from the ramparts. Senator Wigfall now came with a flag of truce. 
During the afternoon arrangements were made for surrendering the fort. 
At 12.55 p. M. the shot riven flag was hauled down. 

14. — Major Anderson and his gallant band of 90 men left Fort Sumter 
and sailed for New York. No man was hurt in the fort during the action, 
and the rebels claim that none were killed on their side. 

15. — The President's proclamation issued, calling for 75,000 Volunteers 
«nd commanding tlie rebels to return to peace within 20 days. — Extra 
Session of Congress called. — N. Y. Legislature voted 30,000 men and 



EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 301 

1861, 

$3,000,000 for putting down the rebellion. — Several Southern vessels at 
New York were seized and fined for irregular clearances. 

16. — Grov. Magoffin refiised to furnish troops from Kentucky under the 
President's proclamation. — Grovernors Letcher, Harris and Jackson made 
similar responses soon after. 

16, 17, ect. — General uprising in the North. Proclamations, military 
orders, voting men and money, the order of the day. Legislatures called 
together; banks ofl^ered loans to the Government; great public meetings 
were held. 

17. — Virginia Secession ordinance passed in secret session, 60 to 53 — to 
be submitted to the people. — Gov. Letcher recognizes the Southern Con- 
federacy by proclamation. — Mass. Sixth Eeg. started for Washington. 

18. — The Peun. Volunteers reached Washington. — The Virginians ob- 
struct tlie channel at Norfolk. — Major Anderson reached New York. — Sixth 
Mass. pass New York. — Fourth Mass. arrive. — Lieut. Jones burned Harper's 
Ferry Arsenal to keep it from the rebels. Rebels shot two of his men. 

19. — Rebels, under Col. Van Dorn, seized the steamship Star of the West, 
off Indianola. — Attack on the Sixth Mass. in Baltimore — two killed and 
seven wounded — 11 rioters killed and many wounded. — The Mayor and 
Gov. informed the President that no more troops could pass through Balti- 
more without fighting their way. — New York Seventh left for Washington. 
[From this date for many days troops were rapidly pouring in for Washing- 
ton, Annapolis, and Fortress Monroe.] 

20. — -Great mass meeting in New York; all parties for the Union ; John 
A. Dix presided ; Major Anderson was present. — Branch Mint at Charles- 
ton, N. C, seized. — Several bridges on the Northern Penn. Railroad (in 
Maryland) burned. — Arsenal at Liberty, Mo., seized. — John C. Breckinridge 
spoke against the Government at Louisville, Ivy. — Gosport Navy Yard de- 
stroyed. The Pennsylvania, Delaware, Columbus, Merrimac, Raritan, Co- 
lumbia, Germantown, Plymouth, Dolphin, and United States, vessels of war, 
scuttled and set on fire. The Cumberland was towed out. 

21. — Government took possession of the Philadelphia and Baltimore 
railroad. — Jver 4,000 men left New York for the seat of war. — War sermons 
preached in most of the Northern churches. — Senator Andrew Johnson, of 
Tenn., (Union) mobbed at Lynchburg, Va. 

22. — Arsenals at Fayetteville, N. C, and Napoleon, Ark, seized by the 
rebels. — N. Y. city appropriates $1,000,000 to equip volunteers, and $500,000 
for their families. — Western Virginia begins to take sides for the Union. — 
Union meeting at Lexington, Ky. Senator Crittenden spoke. — N. Y. Seventh 
arrived at Annapolis. — Vermont Legislature met in extra session. 



302 RECORD OF BATTLES AKD EVENTS. 

1861. 

23. — John Bell came out for the rebels. — First South Carolina regiment 
started for the Potomac. 

24. — Rebels under Solon Borland seized Fort Smith, Ark.— Governor 
MagofBn called an extra session of the Kentucky Legislature. 

25. — Major Sibley surrendered 450 U. S. troops to the rebel Colonel Van 
Dorn at Saluria, Texas. — Legislature of Vermont voted $1,000,000 to equip 
volunteers. — 600 U. S. troops arrived at New York from Texas. — Gen. Har- 
ney arrested by Virginia authority at Harper's Ferry. — New York Seventh 
reached Washington. — Gov. Letcher proclaims Virginia a member of the 
Southern Confederacy. — Senator Douglas spoke for the Union before the 
111. Legislature. 

26. — Gov. Brown, of Georgia, prohibited the payment of debts due to 
Northern men. — Gov. of North Carolina called an extra session of the Leg- 
islature. — More bridges burned near Baltimore on the Philadelphia road. — 
Gov. Burton, of Del., called for Union volunteers. 

27. — Numerous resignations of Southerners at Washington who refused 
to take the oath. — A steamer loaded with powder for the rebels seized at 
Cairo. — The blockade extended to N. C. and Va. ports. 

28. — Frigate Constitution arrived at New York, having barely escaped 
tlie rebels. 

29. — Indiana Legislature voted $500,000 to arm the State. — Bonds and 
money in the collector's ofSce at Nashville, Tenn., seized by Gov. Harris. — 
Steamships Tennessee, Texas and Hermes seized at New Orleans. — 
Maryland Houses of Delegates voted against Secession, 53 to 13 ; the Senate 
unanimously repudiated Secession. 

30. — General Harney released. — New Jersey Legislature met — Governor 
recommended $2,000,000 for war purposes. 

MAY. ■ 

1. — State Convention bill passed N. C. Legislature. — R. I. Legislature met. 

2. — ^New York 69th and Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves arrived at Washington. 
Missouri Legislature met. 

3. — Conn. Legislature voted $2,000,000 for public defense. — Gov. Let- 
cher called out the miUtia to defend Virginia from the Northerners. — 
President Lincoln called for 42,000 three years' volunteers. 

4. — Union delegates to a Border State Convention elected in LouisvilL^, 
Ky., by 7,000 majority, — Committee of Maryland Legislature visited Presi- 
dent Lincoln. — Funeral at Lawrence, Mass., of Corporal Needham, of the 
Mass. Sixth, killed at Baltimore. 

5. — Gen. Butler, with a Union force, took possession of the Relay House, 
near Baltimore. 



RECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 303 

1861. 

6. — ^Virginia admitted to the Confederacy. — Arkansas Convention voted, 
69 to 1 to secede. — The Rebel Congress made pubUc the War and Privateer- 
ing Act. — Baltimore city militia disbanded. — Kentucky Legislature met. 

7. — Michigan Legislature met. — Major Anderson accepted command of 

the Kentucky Volunteers. — Riot at Knoxville, on hoisting a Union flag. — 

Gov. Harris announced a mihtary league between Tenn. and the Confederacy. 

9. — Rebel Congress authorize their President to accept all the volunteers 

that offer. — First landing of troops b}'^ steamers at Baltimore. 

10. — Mob attack upon Volunteer Home Guards in St. Louis — A brigade 
of secession militia near St. Louis, under Gen. Frost, surrendered to Capt. Lyon. 
— Maj. Gen. Robert E. Lee put in command of the rebel forces in Virginia. 
11. — Great Union demonstration in San Francisco. — Blockade of Char- 
leston established. 

12. — Gen. Harney issued a proclamation to the people of Missouri. 
13. — Union troops under Gen. Butler took possession of Federal Hillj 
Baltimore. — Travel through Baltimore reestablished. — Separation Conven- 
tion met at Wheeling, 35 counties represented. — Queen Victoria issued a 
proclamation of neutrality. 

14. — A schooner loaded with arms for the rebels seized in Baltimore. 
— Gunboat Quaker City captured ship Argo with $150,000 worth of tobacco. 
— St. Louis and Memphis mail contract annulled and mails stopped. 

15. — Gov. Hicks, of Maryland, called for volunteers under the President's 
proclamation. — Mass. Legislature offered to loan the Government $7,000,000. 
16. — Bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad destroyed. — General 
Scott ordered the fortification of Arlington Heights. 

17. — Secession spies arrested at Washington. — Express packages go no 
further South than the Capital. — Collectors appointed for the Southern ports. 
— Yacht Wanderer captured by the Crusader off Key West. — Confederate 
Congress authorize the issue of Treasury notes. 
18. — Arkansas admitted into the Confederacy. 

19. — U. S. steamers attacked the rebel battery at Sewall's Point, 2 
wounded on our side. — Two schooners with rebel troops taken in the Polo- 
mac. — Rebels at Harper's Ferry reinforced. 

20. — Seizure of telegraphic dispatches throughout the North by orders 
from Washington. — North Carolina Secession ordinance adopted. — Gov. 
Magoffin proclaims the neutrality of Kentucky, 
21. — Confederate Congress adjourned. 

22. — Ship Island fortifications destroyed to keep them from the rebels. — 
Flag raising at the post office in Washington ; speeches by the President and 
Cabinet. 

24. — General movement of troops into Virginia ; the rebels evacuated 



304 EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1S61, 

Alexandria ; Col. Ellsworth shot by the rebel Jackson, landlord of the Mar- 
shall House, Alexandria; Jackson instantly killed by private Brownell. — 
Arhngton Heights occupied by our troops. — Virginia cavalry company cap- 
tured. — The Southern mails stopped. 

25. — Our troops destroyed bridges on the Alexandria and Leesburg rail- 
road. — Ellsworth's funeral in Washington. 

26. — Alexandria put under martial law. — Western Yirginia voted 
strongly for the Union. 

27. — Chief Justice Taney's habeas corpus in the Merryman case disre- 
garded by General Cadwallader. — Blockade of the Mississippi commenced. 
— Brig. Gen. McDowell took command at Washington. — Mobile blockaded. 

28. — Gen. Butler advanced his forces to Newport News. — Savannah 
blockaded. 

29. — Jeff. Davis reached Richmond. — Our troops advanced towards Har- 
per's Ferry. 

30. — Rebels fled from Grafton, Va. Col. Kelly took possession. 

31. — Gen. Lyon superseded General Harney. — Maj. Gen. Banks and 
Fremont commissioned. — N. Y. Seventh left Washington. 

JUNE. 

1. — Lieut. Tompkins, U. S. regular cavalry, with 47 men, charged through 
Fairfax Court House, killed Capt. Marr and others. Union loss, 2 killed, 

3. — Rebels routed at Philippi, Va., by Col. Kelly, with a loss of 16 
killed and 10 prisoners ; Union loss, 2 killed, and Col. Kelly wounded. — 
Senator Douglas died. — Border State Convention met. 

6. — The Harriet Lane engaged the Pig Point batteries. — Captain Ball's 
rebel cavalry captured at Alexandria, sworn and let go. 

8. — Gen. Patterson's advance moved toward Harper's Ferry. 

9. — Alex. H. Stephens made his cotton loan speech at Milledgeville. 

10. — Battle at Big Bethel; Union force under Gen. Pierce repulsed, 14 
killed, 45 wounded ; Lieut. Greble and Maj. Winthrop killed. 

11. — Colonel Wallace surprised and routed 500 rebels at Romney, Va., 
killing 2, losing none. — Wheeling Convention met. 

13. — Fast-day in the rebel States. 

15. — Rebels evacuated and burned Harper's Ferry, destroying the rail- 
road bridge, and took the armory machinery to Richmond. 

15. — Privateer Savannah arrived at N. T. as a prize to U. S. brig Perry. 
—Gen. Lyon occupied Jefferson City, Mo. Price retreated to Bonneville. 

16. — Skirmish at Seneca Mills; a secession captain and 2 men killed. 

17. — Western Virginia Convention unanimously voted its independence 
of the rebel section. — Street fight in St. Louis, 6 rebels killed. — The surprise 



RECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 305 

IQGl. 

at Vienna, Va. ; rebels fired upon a railroad train, killing 8 Union soldiers; 6 
rebels killed. — Battle of Booneville, Mo. ; Gren. Lyon routed the rebels under 
Gens. Price and Jackson ; about 50 rebels killed. Lyon lost only 2. — Gen. 
Patterson crossed the Potomac at Williamsport. 

19. — Rebels occupy Piedmont, Va. — 35 rebels captured at Liberty, Mo. 

20. — Major-General McClellan took command in Western Virginia. — 
Wheeling Convention elected Frank H. Pierpont- Governor of Virginia. 

2L — ^East Tennessee Union Convention held. 

23. — Balloon reconnoissances commenced. 

24. — Governor Harris proclaimed Termessee out of the Union, the vote 
of the people being for separation 104,019 against 47,238. — Large fire in 
Richmond, Va. 

23. — Virginia Secession vote announced at 128,134 for to 32,134 against. 
—Iowa voted a war loan of $600,000. 

2C. — The President acknowledged the Wheeling government as the 
government of Virginia. — Skirmish at Patterson Creek, Va., 17 rebels, 
1 Union killed. 

27. — Marshal Kane arrested in Baltimore. J. C. Fremont arrived from 
Europe. — Engagement between gunboat Freeborn and rebel batteries at 
Matthias Point ; Captain Ward, of the navy, killed. 

29. — General council of war at Washington. — Steamer St, Nicholas cap- 
tured in the Potomac by the rebels, aided by Thomas, the " French Lady." 

JULY. 

1. — Privateer Sumter escaped from the Mississippi. — Privateer Petrel 
escaped from Charleston. — Fight at Buckhannon, Va., rebels routed, 23 
killed, 200 prisoners. — Skirmish at Falling Waters, Va. 

2. — Engagement near Martinsburg, Va., rebels routed. Union, 3 killed. — ■ 
Steamer Catiline burned. — Virginia Legislature at Wheeling organized. 

3. — Arkansas called out 10,000 men to repel invasion. — Rebel company 
of 34 men, taken at Neosho, Mo. 

4. — Congress met in extra session. — New Hampshire voted a $1,000,000 
loan for the Avar. — Rebels seized Louisville and Nashville railroad. — Great 
Union meeting in San Francisco. 

5. — President's Message read; Opposition only 6 senators and 5 repres- 
entatives. — Battle at Carthage, Mo., rebels lost about 350 killed and 
wounded ; Union loss 13 killed, 31 wounded. — Colonel Sigel commanded. 

6. — Gallant fight of 45 of 3d Ohio regiment at Middle York bridge, near 
Buckhannon, cutting through an alnbuscade of 200 or 300 rebels. 

7. — Infernal machine found in the Potomac. — Battle at Bridge Forks. 



306 RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1861. 

8. — Col. Taylor brought to the President a message from JefF. Davis, con- 
cerning captured privateers.— Thomas, the "French Lady," taken iu Baltimore. 

9. — Maj. Gren. Fremont put in command of the Western Department. 

10. — Battle of Laurel Hill, Va., a Georgia regiment routed, loss unknown ; 
Union loss 1 killed. — Sharp skirmish at Monroe Station, Mo., rebels driven oflf. 

11. — Battle at Rich Mountain, Va., Gen. Rosescrans defeated Col. Pegram, 
captured his camp, killed 60' and took many prisoners ; Union loss 11 killed, 
35 wounded. 

19. — Colonel Pegram surrendered to General McCleUan his whole force 
of 600 men. — Union troops occupied Beverly. 

13. — Battle of Carrickford, Va. ; General Garnett, of Virginia, killed ; 
Union loss light — rebel heavy ; rebel power in Western Virginia broken. — 
Fairfax Court House occupied. 

15. — Skirmish at Bunker Hill, Va. ; rebels routed. — Peace meeting at 
Nyack, N. Y. 

16. — Battle at Barboursville, Va., rebels defeated. — Tighlman, a negro, 
killed three of rebel prize crew on schooner S. J. Waring, and brought the 
vessel into New Yoik. 

. 17. — Skirmish at Fulton, Mo., rebels driven back vnth loss. 

18. — First battle of Bull Run, at Blackburn's Ford, between Union 
troops under Gen. Daniel Tyler, and the rebels under Gen. Beauregard; 
after three hours' hard fighting. Gen. Tyler fell back to Centreville. Union 
loss 19 killed, 38 wounded, 26 missing ; rebel loss (Beauregard's report), 
15 killed, 53 wounded. 

19. — Gen. Banks supersedes Gen. Patterson in command on the Potomac. 
20. — Rebel Congress met at Richmond. 

21. — Battle of Bull Run; 32,500 Union men, under General McDowell 
attacked the rebel army (27,000 in action by Beauregard's report), under 
Generals Johnston, Lee and Beauregard, and in a desperate conflict of ten 
hours almost won the hotly contested ground, when an unaccountable panic 
seized upon the Union army, and nearly the whole retreated in disorder 
toward Washington. Union loss, 479 killed, 1,011 wounded, 1,500 prisoners; 
rebel loss (Beauregard's report) 393 killed, 120 wounded. 

22. — General McClellan placed in command of the Potomac army. 
23-30. — General disorganization of McDowell's army. — Three months' 
men return home. Disappointment and gloom overtakes the people. It is 
now for the first time fully appreciated that war and its horrors are upon us, 

AUGUST. 

1. — General McClellan begins the reorganization of the amy. — Privateer 
Petrel sunk by the St. Lawrence — crew taken. 



KECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 307 

1S61. 

2. — War tax and tariff bill passed Congress — 500,000 men to be raised. — 
Battle of Dug Spring, Mo., Gen. Lyon defeated Ben McCulloch's force — 
Rebel loss 40 killed, 44 wounded ; Union loss 8 killed, 30 wounded. — Fort 
Fillmore, New Mexico, traitorously surrendered by Maj. Lynde, with 750 
men. 

5. — Galveston bombarded — foreign consuls protest — not much damage 
done. — Battle of Athens, Missouri, rebels defeated, losing 40 killed. 

7. — Village of Hampton, Va., burned by the rebels under General Ma- 
gruder. — Privateer York burned by gunboat Union. 

9. — Rebels repulsed at Potosi, Mo. 

10. — Battle of Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Mo. General Lyon, 
with 5,500 men, attacked over 20,000 rebels under McCulloch, Rains, Price 
and Jackson, and repulsed them, but afterward retreated to Rolla — rebel 
loss 421 killed, 1,300 wounded; Union loss 3G3 killed, 721 wounded; Gen- 
eral Lyon was killed while heading a charge. 

12. — Ex-minister Faulkner arrested. — Mob destroy Bangor Democrat. 

13. — Battle near Grafton, Va., 21 rebels killed — no Union loss. 

14. — Mutiny in the 79th N. Y. regt. at Washington. Their colors 
ordered to be taken from them. — Fremont declared martial law in Missouri. 

15. — Davis ordered all northern men to leave the South in forty days. 

16. — The President proclaims non-intercourse with the rebel States. — 
Various newspapers in New York presented by the grand jury for hostility 
to the Government. — Gen. Wool took command at Fortress Monroe. 

19. — Editor of Essex County Democrat, Mass., tarred and feathered for 
rebel sentiments. 

20. — Mayor Berrett, of Washington, arrested for declining to take the 
oath. — Colonel McCunn dismissed for misconduct, by order of McClellan 

21. — Bird's Point fight — 40 rebels killed and 17 taken ; Union loss 
1 killed, 6 wounded. 

20. — Seventh Ohio regiment surprised at Somerville, Va., while at 
breakfast, but fought their way out, losing 3 captains and 2 other officers. 
Floyd commanded the rebels. — Hatteras expedition sailed. 

28-29. — Bombardment and taking of Forts Hatteras and Clark — rebel 
loss in prisoners 765, Commodore Barron among the number. 

30. — Fort Morgan, at Ocracoke Inlet, abandoned by the rebels. 

SEPTEMBER. 

1. — Fight at Boone Court House, Va. — rebel loss 30 — village burned. 
2. — Kentucky Legislature met — Senate, 27 Union, 11 Secession. House, 
76 Union, 24 Secession. — Floating dock at Pensacola burned. 



308 KECOKD OF BATTLES A-ND EVENTS. 

1861. 

3. — Massacre on Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, rebels having burned 
the Platte bridge — 17 lives lost. 

10.— Colors of the K Y. 79th restored.— Battle at Carnifex Ferry, Va., 
General Rosecrans defeated the rebels under Floyd — Union loss 15 killed, 
80 wounded ; rebel loss heavy. 

11. — Skirmish at Lewinsville, Va., considerable rebel loss — Union 6 killed, 
8 wounded. — The President modified General Fremont's proclamation. 

12. — Fight at Cheat Mountain, Va., Col. John A. Washington, proprietor 
of Mount Vernon, killed — rebel loss about 40; Union 10. — Mayor Berrett 
took the oath, and was released. 

14. — Privateer Judith destroyed at Pensacola by a boat expedition from 
the ship Colorado. 

17. — Bridge broke on the Ohio and Miss. Railroad, and nearly 100 of the 
111. 19th killed and wounded. 

18. — Colonel Frank Blair arrested by General Fremont. — Maryland 
Legislature closed by the Provost Marshal — all the Secession members 
arrested and sent to Fort McHenry. 

19. — Ex-Gov. Morehead and others in Louisville, arrested for treason. 

20. — Surrender of Colonel Mulligan, at Lexington, Mo., after four days 
struggle with 2,500 men against 26,000 rebels under General Price. 

21.^— John C. Breckinridge fled South from Frankfort, Ky., and openly 
joined the rebels. 

24. — Count de Paris and Due de Chartres entered service as aids to 
General McClellan. — Grand review of troops at Washington. 

25. — Frank Blair released from arrest. He demands a trial. — General 
Prentiss took command at St. Joseph. 

27. — General Fremont takes the field against the rebels. 

28. — Munson's Hill occupied by Union troops. 

29. — Gen. Baker's California regiment and Baxter's Philadelphia Volun- 
teers mistook each other for rebels at Falls Church, and fired, killing 15 
and wounding 30. 

OCTOBER. 

1. — Propeller Fanny taken by the rebels at Chicamacomico, N. C, 
several prisoners taken. — Rebel camp broken up at Charleston, Mo. 

2. — Fight at Chapmansville, Va., 60 rebels killed and 70 prisoners taken; 
attacked again on their retreat and lose 40. 

3. — Battle at Greenbrier, Va., rebels defeated with considerable loss — 
Union loss slight. — Ex-Street Commissioner Smith, of N. Y., appointed a 
brigadier general in the rebel array. — The rebels evacuated Lexington, Mo. 

4. — Rebels under Colonel Bartow, attack the 20th Indiana near Hatteraa 
— narrow escape of our regiment. Union gunboat drove rebels back. 



KECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 309 

1861. 

5. — Steamer Monticello shelled the rebel troops under Bartow, and drove 
them to their boats. — Gen. Robert Anderson took command in Ky. 

6. — Skirmish at Flemington, Ky. Home Guard defeated the rebels. 

9. — Surprise of Wilson's Zouaves at Santa Rosa Island, by 1,500 rebels. 
The Zouaves, with help from Fort Pickens, defeat the rebels, killing and 
wounding quite a number. Union loss 15 killed and 21 wounded. — General 
advance of the Army of the Potomac. A rebel picket guard surprised. 

10. — Further advance of the Union outposts near Washington. 

11. — Rebel steamer Nashville escaped from Charleston. — Missouri State 
Convention met. — Marshal Kane sent to Fort Lafayette. 

12. — Rebels advanced in force toward Prospect Hill, Va., but retired on 
finding General McCall ready for battle. — Attempt to burn the blockading 
fleet at the mouth of the Mississippi : the rebel " ram " disabled. 

13. — Skirmishes at Beckwith and Tavern Creek, Mo. — many rebels takaoi. 

14. — Secretary Seward's circular to Governors of States issued, advising 
sea-coast and lake defenses. 

15. — Gen. Jeff. Thomson captured 50 Union troops at Potosi, Mo. — Three 
steamers sent from New York in pursuit of the Nashville. — Battle of Linn 
Creek, Mo. ; the rebels defeated. 

16. — Lexington, Mo., reoccupied by a small Union force under Maj. White. 
— Col. Geary routed the rebels at Bolivar, near Harper's Ferry. — Sharp 
skirmish at Ironton, Mo. ; the rebels defeated, losing 36 ; Union loss, 11. 

21. — Battle of Edward's Ferry. Gen. Stone's division of 1,500 men 
crossed the Potomac and were attacked by overwhelming numbers, on a re- 
connoissance. After a fierce contest, the Union men were driven back, and 
recrossed in confusion, a great number being drowned. Senator Baker was 
killed while leading the California brigade. Union loss heavy, reaching 
several hundred. The rebels also lost heavily. — Battle of Wild Cat, Ky. ; 
the rebels, under Zollicofler, defeated by Gen. Shoepf — an important 
victory. — Battle of Fredericktown, Mo. ; rebels under Gen. Jeff. Thompson 
and Gen. Lowe defeated, and Lowe killed. Rebel loss 200 to 300; Union 
loss 30. 

22. — Rebel camp at Buffalo Mills, Mo., broken up ; 17 killed and 90 
prisoners taken. 

25. — Rebels routed at Romney, Va., and many prisoners taken by 
General Kelly. The rebels retreat to Winchester. 

26. — Gallant charge of Maj. Zagonyi, with a portion of Fremont's body 
guard, through a rebel force of 2,000 at Springfield, Mo. The rebels signally 
defeated, and many of them killed. Union loss about 15 killed. 

28. — Gen. Lane captured a rebel transportation train, near Butler, Mo. 

29. — The great naval expedition sailed from Fortress Monroe, Com. Du- 



310 KECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1861. 

pont in command ; land forces under Gen. Sherman. About 80 vessels and 
15,000 men, destined for Port Royal. 

30. — The State prisoners sent from Fort Lafayette, N. T., to Fort Warren, 
Boston. 

31. — N. T. Jury in the trial of the sailors of the privateer Savannah, 
failed to agree. 

NOVEMBER. 

1. — Lieut. Gren. Scott resigned the command-in-chief of the Union armies. 
G-en. McCIellan appointed in his place. — The rebels, under Floyd, attempt to 
capture Rosecrans's army at Gauley Bridge, Va., bat fail, and Floyd only 
saved himself by a precipitate flight. 

2. — Maj. Gen. Fremont removed from his command. He returns to St. 
Louis, where he is enthusiastically received. — Rebel steamer Bermuda runs 
the Savannah blockade. 

3. — Rising of Union men in East Tennessee, who destroy several im- 
portant railroad bridges. 

7. — The Union fleet under Com. Dupont capture Forts Walker and 
Beauregard at Port Royal entrance, take the town of Beaufort and com- 
mand Hilton Island and the harbor. Union loss only 8 Icilled and G badly 
wounded ; rebel loss unknown, but not large. 

8. — Battle of Belmont, Mo., where, after a sharp contest of 6 hours, the 
Union troops retired to their boats before large reinforcements of the other 
side from Columbus, Ky. Loss large and about equal on both sides. — Skir- 
mish at Pikeville, Ky. ; rebels defeated. 

10. — Rebel foray upon Guyandotte, with the intention of slaughtering 
the Union men, but the rebels were driven off" and the village burned. 

11. — Maj. Gen. Halleck succeeds Fremont in command of the Western 
Department. — A skirmish near Kansas City. 

12. — Reconnoissance in force from Alexandria to Occaquan river; no 
rebels discovered. — Gen. Fremont's staff dismissed. 

15. — Frigate San Jacinto arrived at Fortress Monroe, bringing Mason and 
Slidell, rebel commissioners to Europe, as prisoners, Com. Wilkes having 
taken them from the English mail steamer Trent in the Bahama channel. 

18. — Rebels in Accomac and Northampton Counties, Va., disband, and 
Union troops take possession of the Peninsula. — Rebel Congress met. 

19. — The Missouri Rebel State Legislature pass an ordinance of Secession. 

20. — Grand review of 60,000 men by Gen. McCIellan near Munson'a 
Hill. — Rebels bm-n the town of Warsaw. 

23. — Fort Pickens and the fleet bombard the rebels near Pensacola, and 
burn the Navy Tard and much of the village of Warrenton. 



KECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 311 

1861. 

24 — Mason and Slidpll placed in Fort Warren. 

26. — Reinforcement left New York for Port Eoyal. — Sharp skirmish near 
Hunter's Hill, with loss to Union side. 
28. — Union forces occupy Tybee Island. 
29. — News of the full occupation of Ship Island by Union troops. 

DECEMBER. 

2, — ^Aleeting of Congress. — Meeting of loyal Legislature of Virginia at 
Wheeling. — Maryland Legislature met. — Naval skirmish near Newport News. 

4. — John C. Breckinridge expelled from the Senate by a unanimous vote. 
Western Missouri overrun by rebel marauding parties.— Gen. Phelps lands 
on Ship Island with a strong Union force. 

5. — Maj. Gen. Halleck orders the arrest and imprisonment of every man 
found in arms against the Union in Missouri ; those found guilty of aiding 
the rebels, to be shot. 

7. — Skirmish near Dam No. 5, on the Potomac ; rebels driven off, losing 
12 men. — Gen. Butler's expedition arrived at Port Royal. — Company of 
rebels captured near Glasgow, Mo. 

9. — Congress takes measures to effect an exchange of prisoners. — Mr. 
Gurley's confiscation bill introduced. — Garret Davis elected Senator from 
Kentucky in place of the traitor Breckinridge. — Shelling from Freestone 
Point by the Union gunboats. — Rebel Congress pass a bill admitting Ken- 
tucky to the Confederacy. 

11. — Part of the Stone Fleet sailed from Boston. — Great fire at 
Charleston ; half the business part of the city reported destroyed. 

13. — First military execution in the Union army ; a deserter named 
Johnson, shot. — Battle at Camp Alleghany, Va. ; five Union regiments, 
under Gen. Milroy, had a sharp fight with the rebels under Col. Johnson ; 
Union loss, 21 killed, 107 wounded ; rebel loss quite large. 

15. — News from England of the feeling concerning the seizure of Mason 
and SUdell ; apprehensions of a war with Great Britain. 

17. — Battle at Mumfordville, on Green River, Ky. ; rebels defeated, 33 
killed, 50 wounded; Union loss, 10 killed, 17 wounded. — Gen. Pope cap- 
tured 300 rebels near Osceola, Mo. 

18. — Gen. Pope surprised a rebel camp near Martinsburg, and took 1,300 
prisoners, including 3 colonels and 17 captains, and all their camp-stores and 
equipage ; Union loss 2 killed ; rebel loss not known. 

20. — Battle at Dranesville, Va., in which the Union troops, under Gen. 
McCall signally defeat the rebels ; 57 dead and 22 wounded rebels lefl on 
the field ; Union loss, 7 killed, about 40 wounded. 



312 EECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

24. — Skirmisli near Newport News, 'several rebels killed. 

26. — Gen. Scott arrived from Paris. 

27. — Mason and Slidell surrendered to the British Minister. 

JANUARY. 

1.— Mason and Slidell left Fort Warren for England on board of an 
English man of war. — Cannon fight at Fort Pickens. 

2. — Skirmish near Port Royal. 

7.— Ex-Gov. Morehead, of Kentucky, released from Fort Warren.— 
Rebels routed at Bull's Gap, Va. 

8.— Rebels routed in Randolph County, Mo. 

10. — Waldo P. Johnson and Trusten Polk, of Missouri, expelled from the 
U. S. Senate. — Humphrey Marshall defeated near Prestonburg, Ky. 

11. — Gunboat action near Columbus, Ky. — Rebels burn the bridges on 
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. 

12. — Burnside's advance sailed from Fortress Monroe. 

13. — Secretary Cameron resigned. Edwin M. Stanton appointed. 

17. — Burnside arrived at Hatteras. 

18. — Gunboat reconnoissance up the Tennessee River. 

19.— Battle of Mill Springs, Ky. ; rebel Gen. Zollicoffer killed by Col. Fry 

23. — Stone fleet sunk in the channels of Charleston harbor. 

28. — ^Fight with rebel gunboats near Savannah. 

FEBRUARY. 

1. — Skirmish near Bowling Green, Ky. 

3. — Rebel steamer Nashville ordered to leave Southampton, Eng. : the 
U. S. steamer Tuscarora follows, but is stopped by an English frigate. 

3. — Jesse D. Bright, of Indiana, expelled from the United States Senate. 

6. — Fort Henry captured by the Union forces. 

7. — Gen. Lander's Union forces occupy Romney, Va. 

7-8. — Battle and capture of Roanoke Island. Many rebels taken prisoners. 

9. — Gen. C. P. Stone arrested and sent to Fort Lafayette. 

10. — Elizabeth City Va., surrendered to Burnside's forces. 

13. — Springfield, Mo., taken by the Union forces. 

15. — Bowling Green evacuated by the rebels. 

16.— Capture of Fort Donelson ; rebel Gens. Buckner and Tighlman with 
near 12,000 prisoners taken. 

17. — Battle at Sugar Creek, Ark. 

18. — Skirmish at Independence, Mo. 



KECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 313 

1 86S. 

19. — ClarkesTiUc, Tenn., Taken by Com. Foote. — Rebel Congress meet-3 
at Richmond. 

20. — Winton, N. C, burned by Union forces. 

21. — Union troops defeated at Rio Grande,. New Mexico. 

22. — Jefif. Davis inaugurated at Richmond. 

23. — Rebels evacuate Nashville, Tenn. — Gen. Curtis captures Fayette- 
\ille, Ark. — Gen. Buell occupies Gallatin, Tenn, 

27. — Rebels evacuate Columbus, Ky. 

28. — Charlestown, Va., occupied by Union troops. 



MARCH. 

I. — Gen. Fred. W. Lander died. — Gunboat fight at Pittsburgh, Tenn. 

3. — Union troops occupy Columbus, Ky. — Gen. Banks occupies Martina- 
burg, Va. — Engagement at New Marlrid, Mo. 

5. — Beauregard takes command of the Mississippi army. 

6-S. — Battle at Pea Ridge, Ark. Rebels defeated, with heavy loss on 
both sides. Gen. McCuUoch killed. 

8-9. — Attack on our fleet by the iron clad rebel steamer Merrimac; 
frigate Cumberland sunk, and frigate Congress surrendered and burnt. The 
iron clad monster finally driven off by the gallant Monitor — under Capt. 
Welden — in a crippled condition. This marks, in all history, tlie first con- 
flict of iron clad ships. 

9. — Point Pleasant, Mo., taken by Unionists. 

11. — Gen. McClellan relieved of chief command; Gen. Halleck assigned 
to the Mississippi Department ; Gen. Fremont assigned to the ^fountain De- 
partment. 

12. — Jacksonville, Fla., occupied by Union troops, — Winchester, Va., 
occupied by Gen. Banks. 

14. — Battle of Newbern, N.C. — New Madrid, Mo., evacuated by the rebels. 

16. — Rebels defeated at Cumberland Mountain. 

18. — Rebel steamer Nashville escaped from Beaufort. — Rebels evacuate 
Acquia Creek. 

21. — Gen. Butler arrives at Ship Island. — Gen. Burnside takes possession 
of Washington, N. C. 

22. — Reconnoissance in force to Cumberland Gap. 

23. — Battle at Winchester, Va. — Fort Macon invested. 

27. — Skirmish near Strasburg, Va. 

28. — Battle neai- Santa Fe, N. M. — Shipping Point, Va., occupied by 
tTnion troops. 



314 KECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS 

1S62. 

APEIL. 

2. — Unionists occupy Thoroughfare Gap. 

3. — Apalachicola possessed by Union forces. 

6. — Battle at Pittsburg Landing or Sliiloh; rebel Gen, A.S. Johnston killed 

7. — Surrender of Island No. 10 to the Union forces. 

10. — Bombardment and surrender of Fort Pulaski. 

11. — Huntsvnie, Ala., occupied by Gen. Mitchel. • 

12. — Engagement at Monterey, Va. 

14. — Bombardment of Fort Pillow. 

16. — Union troops left Ship Island for New Orleans. — ^Engagement at 
Lee's Mills, near Yorktown. 

17. — Gen. Banks occupies New Market and Mount Jackson, Va. — Gen. 
Reno's expedition left Newbern. 

18. — Rebels repulsed in a night attack upon Union troops at Yorktown. 
Bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, below New Orleans. 

19.— Battle at Camden, N. C. 

24. — Dismal Swamp Canal destroyed. — Union fleets run past Forts 
Jackson and St. Philip ; the Union gunboat Varuna sunk. — Great destruction 
of property at New Orleans by the rebels. 

25. — New Orleans evacuated by the rebels. — Fort Macon surrendered. 

27. — The Union flag raised at New Orleans. 

28. — Forts Jackson and St. Philip surrendered. 

29. — Rebels routed at Bridgeport, Ala, 

MAY. 

1. — Gen. Mitchel possessed HuntsvUle, Ala., and adjoining country. 

2. — Union troops at Pulaski, Tenn., captured by John Morgan, 

4. — Battle of Williamsburg, Va. — Gloucester, Va., taken. 

6. — Union troops occupy Williamsburg. President Lincoln visits Fortress 
Monroe. — Rebels burn their small gunboats on York River. 

7.— Battle of West Point, Va. 

8. — Attack on Sewall's Point by the Monitor and other Union gunboats. 

9. — Battle at Farmington, Miss. — Gen. Hunter issues his emancipation 
proclamation. — Pensacola evacuated by the rebels. — Bombardment at Fort 
Darling, James River. 

10. — Surrender of Norfolk. — Gosport Navy Yard burned by the rebels, 
and Craney Island abandoned. — Guuboat battle at Fort Pillow, on the Aliss. 

11. — The rebels destroy their iron-clad Merrimac. 

13. — Gen, McClellan's advance at White House, Va. — Skirmish neat 
Cumberland. Va. 



KECOIiD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 3i5 

186 3, 

IG. — U. S. transport Oriental -wrecked. 

17. — Rebels driven across the Cbickahomiiiy at Bottom's Bridge. 

19. — The President revoked Gen. Hunter's emancipation proclamation. 

23. — Part of Gen. McCIeUan's army crosses the Chickahominy. — Fierce 
fight at Front Royal, Va. — Rebels defeated at Lewisburg, Va. — Rebels 
driven from Mechanicsville, Va. 

24. — Gen. Banks retreats to Winchester, and next day to the Potomac. 

26. — Gen. McClellan takes possession of Hanover Court House. 

2S. — Rebels retreat from Corinth, Miss. 

30. — Front Royal occupied by Union troops. 

31. — Battle of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks. — Gen. Pope occupies Corinth. 

JUNE. 

1. — Continued fighting at Seven Pines. — Gen. Fremont drives the rebels 
from Strasburg, Va. 

3. — Union troops land on James Island, near Charleston. 

4. — Rebels burn their works at Fort Pillow and leave. 

6. — Unionists occupy Memphis — Fierce gunboat fight there. — Fremont 
attacks the rebels at Harrisonburg. 

7. — Rebel batteries silenced at Chattanooga, Tenn. — A rebel executed 
for tearing down the Ameiican flag at New Orleans. 

8. — Battle of Cross Keys, Va. 

9.— Battle of Port Republic, Va. 

10. — Battle of James Island, S. C. 

13. — Rebels cut railroad and telegraph at White House, in McClellan's 
rear. 

17. — Battle at St. Charles, Ark. ; explosion of the Union gunboat 
Mound City. 

18. — Union troops occupy Cumberland Gap. — Skirmishing before Rich- 
mond. 

20. — Union force occupy Holly Springs, Miss. 

25. — Com.mencement of the seven days' battle before Richmond. 

26. — The rebels destroy their gunboats on the Mississippi. — Gen. Pope 
assigned to the command of the army of Virginia. — Battle of Mechanicsville. 

27. — Bombardment of Vicksburg. — Gen. Fremont relieved of his com- 
mand. — Battles of Gaines' Hill and Golding's Farm. 

28. — Battle of the Chickahominy. 

29. — Battle of Savage's Station. 

30. — Battle of White Oak Swamp. — Union troops occupy Luray, Va. 



316 KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

18G2 . 

JULY. 

1. — President decides to call for 300,000 voliintccrs. — Battle of Malvern 
Hills, and close of the seven days' struggle. — Cavaliy engagement near 
TBoonesville, Miss. 

4. — Rebel gunboat captured ou James River. 

7. — Rebels repulsed at Bayou Cache, Ark. 

11. — Gen. Ilalleck appointed commander-in-chief. 

13. — Rebels capture Murfreesboro', Tenn. 

14. — Battle of Fayetteville, Ark. — Gen. Pope takes command of the 
army of Virginia. 

15. — Rebel gunboat Arkansas runs through the Union fleet and reaches 
Vicksburg ; has a fight with the gunboat Carondelet. 

17. — Rebels take Cynthiana, Ky. 

18. — The traitor Gen. Twiggs died. — Battle at Memphis, Mo. 

22. — Rebel raid into Florence, Ala. 

24. — Gen. Halleck goes to confer with Gen. McClellan. 

25. — President's proclamation warning the rebels of the Confiscation Act. 

28. — Rebels defeated at Moore's Mills, Mo. 

29. — Guerrillas defeated at Mt. Sterling, Ky. 

AUGUST. 

1. — Fight at Newark, Mo. — Rebel Government declare Gen. Pope and 
his officers not entitled to mercy. 

2. — Skirmish at Ozark, Mo. 

4. — Secretary of War orders a draft for 300,000 men. — Gen. Butler as- 
sesses New Orleans rebels to support the poor. 

5. — McClellan's troops occupy Malvern Hill. — Gen. McCook murdered 
by the rebels while wounded and defenceless. — Battle of Baton Rogue. 

6. — Gen. Hooker abandons Malvern Hill. — Rebel ram Arkansas blown up. 

7. — Guerrilla fight at Kirkville, Mo. — Skirmish near Wolftown, Ya. — 
Rebel advance crosses the Rapidan. 

8. — Writ of Habeas Corpus suspended, and orders given to arrest those 
who discourage enlistments. No more passports to be issued. — Skirmish 
near Orange C. H. 

9. — Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Guerrillas defeated at Stockton, Mo. 

11. — Independence, Mo., taken by the rebels. — A skirmish at Cedar 
Mountain. — Guerrilla fight near Williamsport, Tenn. 

13. —Steamboat collision on the Potomac — 80 soldiers lost. — Drafting 
ordered to begin 1st of September. 



EECOKD OF BATTLES AKD EVENTS. 317 

186S, 

IG. — Rebels attempt to cross the Rapidan, but are driven back. — Evacu- 
ation of Harrison's Lauding by the army of the Potomac. — Cols. Corcoran, 
Wilcox, etc., reach Fortress Monroe from Richmond prison. 

17. — McClellan's advance reaches Hampton; the rear-guard cross the 
Chicahominy. — Gen. Pope's retreat begun. 

21. — Rebels attempt to cross the Rappahannock. 

22. — Grand reception of Gen. Corcoran in New York. — Rebel attack on 
Catlett's Station. 

23-24. — General battle between Gen. Pope's forces and the rebels. 
Pope defeated. 

25. — Skirmish at Waterloo Bridge, Va. — Rebel attack on Fort Donelsoru 

26. — Rebels get possession of Manassas Junction. — Fight at Haymarket, 
Ya. — Union gunboats demolish rebel works at City Point. 

29. — Battle at Groveton, Ya. 

30. — Second battle of Bull Run; our ti'oops defeated, and retreat at 
night. — Battle near Richmond, Ky. — A fight at BoUvar, Tenn. 

SEPTEMBER. 

1. — Severe battle at Chantilly, Ya. ; Gens. Kearney and Stevens killed 
— Union troops evacuate Lexington, Ky. ; rebel attack on Louisville ex- 
pected ; great excitement in Cincinnati. — Fight at Britton's Lane, Tenn. 

2. — Gen. McClellan assigned to command the forces for the defense of 
Washington. — Fight near Fairfax C. H. — Engagement at Plymouth, N. C. 

3. — Gen. White arrives at Harper's Ferry. 

4. — Rebel steamer Oreto ran blockade into Mobile. — Skirmish at Cum- 
berland Gap. 

5. — Rebels cross at Point of Rocks, and begin the invasion of Maryland. 

6. — Rebels occupy Frederick Cify, Md. — First capture of the pirate 
Alabama (the whaler Ocmulgee). [Up to Dec. 12 there had been 8 ships, 6 
barks, 1 brig, and 6 schooners destroyed by the Alabama, and three other 
vessels robbed and released.] 

7. — Union advance occupied Bowling Green, Ky. — Gen. Pope relieved 
of command of the army of Yirginia; Gen. McCiellaa's command absorbs 
this army. 

8. — McClellan's army at Rockville, Md. — Rebel Gen. Lee i.ssues a pro- 
clamation to Maryland. — Fight at Pooleville, Md. — Restrictions on travel 
rescinded. 

10. — Levy en masse in Pennsylvania to repel threatened invasion. — 
Fight at Gauley, Ya. 

11. — Union troops occupy Newmarket, Ya. — Hagertown, Md., occupied 



318 EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

186S. 

by rebels. — Sugar Loaf Mountain occupied by Union forces. — ^Bloomfield, 
Mo., captured by rebels; also Maysville, Ky. 

12. — Gen. Hooker occupied Frederick City, Md. — Skirmish at Maryland 
Heights. 

13. — Rebels dcnaand the surrender of LlumfordsviUe, Ky. ; a fight there 
next day. — A charge on the rebels at Middletown, Md. 

3 4. — Battle of South Mountain. — Rebel attack on Harper's Ferry. 

15. — Harper's Ferry surrendered. — Rebels attempt to blockade the Ohio 
River. 

17. — Battle of Antietam. — Union troops evacuate Cumberland Gap. — 
Mumfordsville surrendered to the rebels. — Fight at St. John's Bluff, Fla, 

18. — Rebel army evacuate Sharpsburg and recross the Potomac. 

19. — Battle of luka. — Rebels leave Harper's Ferry. 

22. — President Lincoln's preliminary Emancipation Proclamation issued. 
— Battle with Indians at Wood Lake, Minn. 

24. — Convention of loyal Governors at Altoona, Pa. — Fight at Donalds- 
ville, La. 

27. — Augusta, Ky., destroyed by the rebels. 

29. — Gen. Nelson shot at Louisville by Gen. J. C. Davis. 

OCTOBER. 

1. — President Lincoln visits McClellan's army, and urges an immediate 
movement across the Potomac. — Gen. Plesanton's cavalry crosses at Shep- 
ardstovvn. — Gen. Buell's army leaves Louisville. 

3. — Battle of Corinth. — An expedition up St. John's River, Fla., takes 
the fort on St. John's Bluff. — Gen. Morgan (Union) concludes his retreat 
from Cumberland Gap. — Rebels evacuate Frankfort, Ky. 

4. — Defeat of the rebels at Corinth. — Gen. Buell reaches Bardstown, Ky. 

5. — Union forces occupy Galveston, Tex. — Battle at Hatchie River. — 
Rebels routed at Fayetteville, Ark. 

6. — Gen. McClellan ordered to cross the Potomac and give battle to the 
enemy. 

8. — Battle of Perry ville, Ky. Dreadful slaughter vf Union troops. 

9. — Rosecrans recalled from the pursuit of Piice and Van Dorn. — Bragg's 
retreat to Ilarrisburgh, Ky. 

10. — Stuart's rebel cavalry raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania, 

11. — Rebels in force threaten Nashville, Tenn. — Skirmish near Lagrange, 
Ark. 

12. — Stuart's cavalry recross the Potomac. 

13. — Gen. Bragg evacuates Camp Dick Robinson. 



RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 319 

1863. 

15. — Drafting in Boston and Baltimore. — Fighting near Lexington, Ky. 

18. — The guerrilla general Morgan occupies Lexington, Ky. 

19. — Skirmish near Nashville. 

20. — Morgan (rebel) captures a wagon train near Bardstown, Ky. 

21. — Attack on the rebels near Nashville. — Rebels leave Western Virginia. 

22. — Bragg's army at Cumberland Gap. — Battle at Pocotaligo, S. C. — 
Rebel salt works in Florida destroyed. — Gunboat reconnoissance up Broad 
River, S. C. 

23. — Rebels defeated at Maysville, Ark. 

24. — Gen. Buell deprived of the command and Gen. Rosecrans put at 
the head of the Army of the Cumberland. 

25. — Skirmish near Manassas. 

26. — Advance of McClellan's army begun. 

27. — Battle of LabadieviUe, La. 

29. — Great fire at Harper's Ferry. 

30. — Gen. Mitchel died at Port Royal of yellow fever. 

31. — Skirmish at Maysville, Ky. 

NOVEMBER. 

1. — Artillery fight at Phillomont, Va. 

2. — Union troops possess Snicker's Gap. — Gen. Foster's expedition left 
Newberu. 

3. — Upperville, Piedmont, and Thoroughfare Gap, Va., in Union pos- 
session, 

4. — Ashby's Gap occupied; engagement atMarkbam, Va. — Gen. Grant's 
army occupy Lagrange, Miss. — Salt w^orks in Georgia destroyed. 

5. — Order issued for the removal of Gen. McClellan. — Engagements at 
Chester Gap and New Baltimore, Va. 

6. — ^McClellan's advance occupy Warrenton, Va, 

7. — Gen. McClellan removed from command ; Gen. Burnside appointed. 
— Gen. Bayard attacked by rebels at Rappahannock Station. — ^Negro troops 
engaged at Port Royal. 

8. — Skirmish at Little Washington, Va. — Gen. Bayard holds Rappahan- 
nock Bridge. — Cavalry skirmish at Gaines' Cross Roads, Va. — Galatin, Tenn., 
reached by Rosecrans' army. 

9, — Rebels routed near Moorfield, Va. — Gen. Butler's sequestration order 
issued. 

10. — Gen. Bayard's cavalry dash into Fredericksburg. — Gen. Rosecrans 
arrives at Nashville. — Great Union demonstration at Memphis. 

12. — Gen. HaUeck visits the army of the Potomac. — Gen. McClellan ar- 
rives at Trenton, 



320 EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1862 . 

13. — Skirmish near White Sulphur Springs, Va. — Holly Springs, Miss., 
occupied by Union forces. 

14. — Gen. Stahel's forces pass Snicker's Gap. 

15. — Artillery fight at Fayetteville, Va. — Rebels evacuate Warrenton. 

16. — Order issued for observance of the Sabbath in the army. 

17. — Burnside's headquarters at Catlett's Station. — Artillery skirmish 
near Fredericksburg. 

18. — Burnside's left wing advance reaches Falmouth, opposite Frede- 
ricksburg. — Skirmish at Rural Hill, Tenn. 

20. — Skirmish at Charlestown, Va. 

21. — Surrender of Fredericksburg demanded, and notice given to re- 
move non-combatants. 

22. — General order for the release of all State prisoners. 

25. — Raid of rebels into Pooleville, Md. — Rebels attack Newbern. 

26. — President Lincoln visits Burnside. — Gen. Sherman's forces leave 
Mempliis. 

28.— Battle of Cone Hill, Ark. 

28. — Rebel cavahy cross the Rappahannock and capture two companies 
of Union cavalry, not far from Fredericksburg. 

29. — Union expedition a few days before invaded Mob Jack Bay, Va., 
and destroyed rebel salt works. — Rebels defeated at Frankfort, West Vir- 
ginia ; 108 captured. 

DECEMBER. 

1. — A rebel battery captured near Suffolk, Va. 

1-3. — Rebels in Tenn. and Miss, retreating before Gen, Grant's army. 

3. — Gen. Geary takes possession of Winchester, Va. 

7. — Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. 

11. — Bombardment of Fredericksburg commenced; our troops cross the 
river in the course of the afternoon. 

13. — Battle of Fredericksburg, resulting in a total defeat to the Union 
forces under Burnside. 

15. — Gen. Burnside's army retreated to the north side of the Rappa- 
hannock, during the night. 

20. — Gen. Foster returns to Newbern, after defeating the rebels in four 
battles, taking Kingston and Goldsboro, and destroying several bridges and 
miles of the track of the Wilmington and Weldou Railroad. 



EECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 821 

1863. 

JAKU ART. 

1. — The Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, declaring 
slaves in the insurrectionary States and Districts forever and henceforward 
free, issued. — The Battle of MurCreesboro, Tenn., commenced Dec. 31, 1862, 
continued. The engagement opened at dawn by Gen. Rosecrans. The 
battle Av;is hotly contested, and the losses great on both sides. The rebel 
guerrilla Morgan defeated in Kentucky. — The rebel Gen. Forrest defeated at 
Hunt's Cross Roads, Tenn., by Gen. Sullivan. — Galveston, Texas, recaptured 
by the rebels, who also took the steamer Harriet Lane. The steamer West 
field blown up to prevent its capture. 

2. — Battle of Stone River or Murfreesboro, Tenn., continued ; tlie rebels 
were repulsed in an attack on our left wing. — Gen. Sherman's force, opera- 
ting against Vicksburg, Va., withdrawn from the Yazoo River. — Dumfries, 
Va., entered by Stuart's cavalry. 

3. — The rebels retreated from the battle-field of Murfreesboro. — Arrival 
in N. Y. of a cavalry company from Cal. — Our forces at Moorefield, West 
Va., attacked. — Part of the Monitor's crew picked up on Hatteras Shoals. — 
Department of the East, (xvTew York and New England States) created, and 
Gen. John E. Wool assigned to its command. 

5. — Murfreesboro, Tenn., occupied by a national force. — J. P. Usher, of 
Indiana, nominated as Secretary of the Interior. — Gen. Milroy, in Wes. Va., 
issued an order concerning the President's Emancipation Proclamation. 

6. — Gen. Carter's Union force reached Manchester, Ky., on its return 
from a raid into East Tennessee ; bridges were destroyed and prisoners taken. 

7. — Successful reconnoissance of Union troops in the neighborhood of 
West Point, Va. 

8. — Springfield, Mo., attacked by the rebels. — Rebel camp at Huntoon's 
Mills, near Fort Pillow, surprised. — Steamer Mussulman burned by guerrillas 
near Memphis, Tenn. 

9. — Order issued by Gen. Halleck, thanking Gen. Rosecrans and his army 
for the victory of Murfreesboro. — The rebels repulsed at Providence Church, 
on the Blackwater, Va. 

10. — Cavalry skirmish at Catlett's Station, Va. — Battle at Arkansas Post 
commenced. — English steamer Rising Dawn captured. — Brig J. P. EUicott 
captured by the privateer Retribution. 

11. — Fort Hindman and Arkansas, on the Arkansas River, surrendered 
by the rebels. — Union gunboat Hatteras sunk by the Alabama, off Texas. — 
Gen. Weitzel crossed Berwick Bay and attacked the rebel gunboat Cotton 
in the Bayou Teche. 

12. — Gen. John E. Wool assumed command of the Department of the 



322 RECORD OF BATTLE8 AND EVENTS. 

1863. 

East, Headquarters at N. Y. city. — JefF. Davis' message sent to the rebel 
congress. — Gen. John A. McClernaud congratulated his army on the capture 
of Arkansas Post. 

13. — Peace resolutions introduced into the New Jersey Legislature. 

14. — Col. James W. Wall elected United States Senator from New 
Jersey. — Engagement at the Bayou Techo, La. — Lieut. Commander (Union) 
Thos. McKeon Buchanan killed. 

15. — Union gunboat Cclumbia destroyed by rebels near Wilmington, N. C. 

IG. — Rebel privateer Oreto ran the blockade out of Mobile. 

17. — Steamer Vanderbilt arrived at Fortress Monroe after an unsuccessful 
cruise after the Alabama. — Rebel piivateer Oreto destroyed the brig Estelle. 

18. — Gen. Hunter arrived at Hilton Head. — A large fleet sailed from 
Napoleon and Memphis for Young's Point and Milhken's Bend, near Vicks- 
burg, on this and the following days. 

20. — Gen. Burnside announced to the army of the Potomac that it was 
about to meet the enemy again. — Gen. Hunter assumed command of the 
Department of the South. — The rebel privateer Alabama arrived at Jamaica. 

21. — The expedition under Gen. Grant, from Napoleon, arrived at 
Young's Point, nine miles from Vicksburg. — Engagement near Sabine Pass, 
Galveston, Texas; gunboat Morning Light and the bark Velocity, captured 
by the rebels off Sabine Pass, Texas. 

24. — Gen. Burnside relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac, 
and tlie command assigned to Gen. Hooker. 

25. — Cars on the railroad, between Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., de- 
stroyed by rebels. — The iron-clad Montauk arrived off Fort McAllister, Ga. 

26. — Gen. Burnside took leave of the command of the Army of the 
Potomac. — Gen. Hooker, in general orders, assumed command. — Gens. W. 
B. Franklin and Sumner relieved of their commands in the army of the Po- 
tomac. — Bark Golden Rule burned, and ship Washington captured by the 
Alabama. 

27. — Gen. Hooker visited Washington. — Cavalry skirmish at Middleburg, 
Va. — A. D. Boileau, of the Phila. Journal, arrested by order of the Govern- 
ment. — Bombardment of Fort McAllister, on the Ogeechee River, Ga., by 
the Montauk. — Brig Chastelaine burned by the Alabama. 

29. — Excitement in Phila. over the arrest of the editor of the Evening 
Journal. — Charge of Judge Ludlow to the Grand Jury on the subject. — 
English steamer Princess Royal captured ofl" Charleston, S. C. 

30. — Victory of Gen. Corcoran over Gen. Roger A. Pryor's force near 
the Blaekwater, the engagement being called the Battle of the Deserted 
House. — Union gunboat Isaac Smith, captured in the Stono River, S. C. 

31. — The fleet blockading Chai'leston, S. C, attacked by the rebel iron- 



RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 323 

1863. 

clads Chicora and Palmetto State ; Union gunboat Mercedita surrendered.— 
Gen. Beauregard and Flag-Officer D. N. Ingrabam (rebel), formally declared 
by proclamation that the blockade of Charleston, S. C, was raised. — J. P. 
Benjamin, Secretary of State of the Confederate States, gave official notice 
that the blockade was broken. — Schooner Hanover destroyed by the priva- 
teer Retribution. 

FEBRUARY. 

1. — Franklin, Tenn., occupied by Federal forces. — A. J. Boileau, editor of 
the Phila. Evening Journal, released from Fort McHenry. — Fort McAllister, 
Ga., again attacked. — Gunboat New Era attacked Island No. 10. 

2. — A bill providing for the employment of negro soldiers passed the 
United States House of Representatives. — Rebel camp at Middletown, Tenn., 
surprised. — Department of Washington constituted under command of Gen. 
Heintaelman. — The Union ram Queen of the West ran past the rebel 
batteries at Vicksburg, and attacked the rebel steamer City of Vicksburg. 

3. — The rebels repulsed in an attack on our forces at Dover, Tenn., by 
Union gunboats. — Fort Donelson, Tenn., invested by the rebels. 

4. — Engagement at Fort McAllister, Ga. 

5. — Our forces repulsed a rebel attack on Fort Donelson. Tenn. — Union 
ram Queen of the West returned from her expedition past the batteries of 
Vicksburg, having destroyed three rebel transports and an immense quantity 
of rebel stores. 

6. — Raid of Union cavalry to Middleburg and Aldie, Va. 

7. — Reconnoissance from the right wing of the army of the Potomac. — 
Engagement near Williamsburg, Va. 

8. — Our forces entered Lebanon, Tenn., capturing a number of rebels. 

9. — Collision between the transport North Star and the steamer Ella 
Warley, near Sandy Hook. 

10. — Gen. Rosecrans issued an order declaring that all rebel soldiers 
found in national uniforms should not be treated as prisoners of war, or 
receive quarter in battle. — Official denial that the blockade at Charleston, 
S. C, had been raised. 

11. — Secretary Seward trcnsmitted to the Senate a communication 
relative to the visit of the French Minister to Richmond. 

12. — Passage of the National Currency bill by thr Senate. — Slight skir- 
mish near Smithfield, Va. — Great lire at Norfolk, Va. — Ship Jacob Bell, from 
China, captured and burned by the Florida. — Rebel fort on Pelican Mand, 
near Galveston, Texas, shelled by the Brooklyn. 

13. — A Court of Inquiry, relative to cotton and other traffic on the Mis- 



324 KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1863 . 

sissippi River, instituted.— Skirmish near Bolivar, Tenn.— Gunboat Indianoia 
ran the blockade at Vicksburg. 

15. — Slight skirmish near Nolinsvilie, Ky. 

16.— The Conscriptiou bill passed by the United States Senate. — Brig. 
Gen. Thos. G. Stevenson placed in arrest by Gen. Hunter, at Port Eoyal, 
for objecting to fight in company with negroes. 

18-— Gen. Beauregard issued a proclamation announcing that an attack 
on Charleston and Savannah would probably soon be made. — Bombardment 
of Vicksburg, Miss. 

19. — Brig Emily Fisher captured and bonded by the privateer Retribu- 
tion. 

20.— The National Currency BiU passed the House of Representatives.— 
United States steamer Alabama left St. Thomas in search of the Florida.— 
The Vanderbilt left St. Thomas on a cruise for privateers. 
21. — The pirate Alabama burned the bark OHve Jane. 
22. — Richmond, Ky., occupied by rebel cavalry. — Tuscumbia, Ala., 
reached by a Union cavah-y force.— Ship Golden Eagle destroyed by the 
Alabama. 

23. — Bill authorizing the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus passed 
by the United States Senate. 

24. — The iron-clad gunboat Indianola captured by the rebels near Vicks- 
burg.— Some shells thrown into Galveston, Texas, by the Brooklyn. 

25.— Cavalry fight near Strasburg, Va. Our forces defeated. — Privateer 
Retribution arrived at Nassau.— Capture of the Anglo-rebel steamer Peter- 
hofF by the Vanderbilt, near St. Thomas.— An expedition through Yazoo 
Pass, near Vicksburg, left Moon Lake. 

27. — Col. Wyndham's cavalry left Centreville, Va., on a reconnoissance. 
Brig. Gen. John Cochrane, having resigned his commission, took leave of 
his command. — Jeff. Davis issued a proclamation appointing March 27 as 
Fast Day in the C. S. — Gen. Stevenson released from arrest by Gen. 
Hunter. — Three Anglo-rebel steamers, the Georgiana, the Britannia and the 
Gertrude, arrived at Nassau. — A sham Monitor sent by Admiral Porter past 
the rebel batteries at Vicksburg.- Schooner Palmetto captured by the Ala- 
bama. 

28. — President Lincoln called an extra session of the Senate.— Col. 
Wyndham's cavalry arrived at Falmouth, Va.— The rebel steamer Nashville 
destroyed by the Montauk in Ogeechee River, Ga. — The Yazoo Pass expe- 
dition reached the Coldwater Elver, twelve miles from Moon Lake, through 
Tazoo Pass. 



KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 325 

1S63. 

MARCH. 

1. — Rebels defeated at Brady ville, Tenn. 

2. — Ship John A. Park captured and burned by the Alabama. 

3. — An expedition left Belle Blain, V;i., for Northumberland Co., Va. — 
Gunboat Indianola destroyed by the rebels. 

4. — Congress adjourned. — Skirmish near Franklin, Tenn. 

5. — Severe engagement near Springville, Tenn. — Brig. Gen. 11. M. Naglee 
relieved of his command by Gen. Hunter. — Gen. Halleck addressed a letter 
to Gen. Rosecrans, relative to the treatment of disloyal persons. — Col. 
Colburn's force (Union) captured at Thompson's Station, Tenn. 

7. — The Union expedition into Northumberland County, Va., returned. 
— Cavalry engagement at Unionville, Tenn., near Murfreesboro. — The Yazoo 
Pass expedition arrived in the Tallahatchie River. 

8. — Schooner Enterprise captured off the coast of Florida. 

9. — The rebels entered Fairfax Court House, Va.^ and captured Brig. 
Gen. E. H. Stoughton and his guard. — Anglo-rebel steamer Douro captm-ed 
by the Quaker City. 

10. — President Lincoln issued a proclamation ordering soldiers absent 
from their regiments to return immediately. — Skirmishing at Rutherford's 
Creek, near Columbia, Tenn. — Gen. Van Dorn's force retreated toward 
Shelbyville, Tenn. — Rebel steamer Parallel burned on the Tallahatchie. 

12. — Successful rebel raid to Hilton Head Island, S. C, in the night. — 
Gunboat Chillicothe attacked at the town of Greenwood and Vicksburg. 

13. — The rebels attacked Newbern, N. C. — Fight between the Union 
gunboat Chillicothe and rebel Fort Pemberton, near Vicksburg, at the mouth 
of the Tallahatchie River. — Affair at Deep Gully, N. C, between Union and 
rebel forces. — Van Dorn's forces escape from before Gen. Rosecrans at Duck 
River, Tenn. 

14. — Admiral Farragut, with 7 of his fleet, passed Port Hudson, after a 
fierce engagement, in which the Mississippi was disabled, and bui-ned by 
orders of the Admiral. — Engagement at Deep Gully, N. C, continued. — Ship 
Punjaub captured by the Alabama. 

15. — Schooner Cliapman taken possession of at San Francisco as privateer. 
— The Jefferson newspaper office destroyed at Richmond, Ind. 

16. — Great Union meeting in Brooklyn. — Gen. Rosecrans reported the 
exploits of his cavalry. — Water let into the canal at Lake Providence, near 
Vicksburg. 

17. — Col. James B. Fry appointed Provost-Marshal-General. — Spirited 
fighting on the Blackwater ; unsuccessful attempt to carry the rebel breast 



326 RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

18 6 3. 

works. — Brilliant cavalry fight at Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock. — 
Steamer Calypso arrived at Cljarleston, S. C, having run the blockade. 

19. — The rebel cavalry crossed Duck Eiver, advancing toward Franklin, 
Tenn., but were driven back by Union cavalry. — Rebel guerrillas attacked a 
railroad train near Richland, Ky. — Anglo-rebel steamer Georgiana ran ashore 
near Charleston. 

20. — Engagement at Milton, Tenn. — Two of Commodore Farragut's 
vessels arrived at the mouth of the canal opposite Vicksburg. — Fight at 
Auburn, Tenn. 

21. — Steamer Nicholas I. captured oil' Wilmington, N. C. — Steamer Aries 
captured off Charleston. — Death of Gren. E. V. Sumner. 

22. — Gen. Wool, commanding the Department of the East, issued an 
order relative to deserters. — Capture of Mount Sterling, Ky., by the rebels, 
who burned the town. — Steamer Granite City captured off the Bahamas.— 
Steamer Bio Bio burned at New Orleans. 

23. — Our pickets at Chantilly attacked. — A portion of Pensacola, Fla., 
destroyed by Union troops. 

24. — Capture of a guerrilla party near Stafford Court House, Va. — Our 
fleet commenced entering the Yazoo Pass near Vicksburg. 

25. — Capture of Union troops at Brentwood, Tenn. — Union rams Lan- 
caster and Switzerland attempted to run past the batteries at Vicksbm-g, the 
former being sunk and the latter captured. — Jeff. Davis signed a bill for the 
impressment of property. 

26. — Skirmish near Camp Dick Robinson, Ky. — Orange Grove, Fla., 
occupied by a Union regiment of colored soldiers. 

27. — Fast day in the Confederate States.— Deserter shot at Indianapolis, 
Ind. — Arrest of the rebel Col. Talcott in New York. — Pilatka, Fla., occupied 
by a Union regiment of colored troops. — Admiral Farragut engaged the 
rebel batteries at Warrenton, three miles below Vicksburg. — Barks Lapwing 
and M. J. Colcord taken by the pirate Florida. — U. S. troops landed at Cole's 
Island, S. C. — Bombardment of Fort Pemberton, at Vicksburg, commenced. 

28. — Danville, Ky., recaptured by Union troops. — A Union train captured 
between Memphis, Tenn., and Grand Junction. — Steamer Aries captured 
running the blockade at Charleston. — Union gunboat Diana captured by 
rebels in Louisiana. — Our pickets at Washington, N. C, driven in. — Our fleet 
reached the Coldwater River, near Vicksburg, by the Yazoo Pass. 

29. — Williamsburg, Va., attacked by the rebels. 

30. — Point Pleasant, Va., captured by rebels, but subsequently recap- 
tured.— Commencement of the investment of Washington, N. C. — Richmond, 
near Vicksburg, taken possession of by our forces. 

31 . — Great Union meeting in Washington.— Sharp battle near Somerset, 



RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 327 

1863 . 

Kj. ; the rebels defeated. — Jacksonville, Fla., evacuated by Union troops, 
part of the towni having been burned by them. — Union gunboat St. Clair 
attacked by the rebels on the Cumberland. — The rebels opened fire on the 
fort back of Wasliiugton, N. C, the place being closely invested by them. — 
The rebel batteries at Grand Gulf on the Mississippi attacked. — Schooner 
Antelope captured off Charleston, S. C. 

APRIL. 

1. — Shai'p cavalry figlit at Broad Run, near Drainesville, Va. 

2. — Grand reception of Gen. BuLler at the N. Y. Academy of Music. — 
Rebel attack on our iron clads at Tuscumbia,'Ala. — Serious bread riot in 
Richmond, Va. A large number of women attacked the storehouses. 

3. — The rebel Gen. Morgan defeated at Liberty, Tenn. 

4. — Gen. McClellan's report of his campaign, dated Oct. 15, 1862, made 

public. — Town of Palmyra, on the Cumberland, destroyed by our forces, in 

retaliation for the attack on the gunboat St. Clair. — The rebels repulsed at 

Woodbury, Tenn. — The Yazoo Pass expedition operating against Vicksburg, 

returning, left Fort Greenwood, 

5. — A force left Newbern, N. C, to rescue Gen. Foster's army beseiged 
at Washington, N. C. — Iron clad fleet arrived at Chai'leston bar. 

6. — Repoit of the Committee on the Conduct of the War made public. — 
Gen. Mitchell dashed into a rebel camp at Green Hill, Tenn. — Visit of the 
President and his family to the army of the Potomac. — The 'expedition 
against Charleston, S. C, started for that city. 

7. — Attack on Fort Sumter, Charleston harbor, by our monitors under 
Dupont, and our forces repulsed. — An additional force left Newbern, N. C, 
to aid Gen. Foster at Washington, N. C. 

8. — The army of the Potomac reviewed by the President.— The Keokuk 
(iron-clad), sank in Charleston harbor from the shots received in the attack 
on Fort Sumter. — Arrival of the Yazoo Pass expedition, operating against 
Vicksburg, at Helena, Ark. — Ship Morning Star captured by the Alabama. 

9.— Fight at Blount's Bridge, N. C, and at Kuff's Mills, N. C. 

10. — Gen. Granger attacked by the rebel Van Dorn's army at Franklm, 
Tenn. — A passenger train near Lavergne, Tenn., attacked by a rebel force. 
— Address of Jeff. Davis to the rebel States issued. 

11. — Great meeting in New York in commemoration of the attack on 
Fort Sumter in 1801.— Col. Streight's raiding force leave Nashville for 
Georgia. 

12. — Col. E. A. Kimball killed by Gen. Corcoran. — Battle between Gen. 
Banlis' army and the rebels in the Teche country, La. — Steamer Stone- 



328 EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

18G3 . 

wall Jackson destroyed off Charleston. Our iron-clads leave Charleston 
harbor. 

13. — Eiot between black and white laborers in South street, N. T. — The 
rebels evacuated their works at Centreville, La., in the night. — The fighting 
in the Teche country, Louisiana, continued. — Transport Escort run the bat- 
teries, conveying aid to Gen. Foster. 

14. — Fight near Suffolk, Va. — Gen. Foster escaped on steamer Escort 
from Washington. N. C. — Repulse of the rebels in tlie Nansemond River, 
Va, — The ram Queen of the West recaptured from the rebels in Grand 
Lake, La. — The final action between Gen. Banks' army and the rebels in 
the Teche country. Union loss about 350. The rebels defeated. — Fight at 
Kelly's Ford, near Fredericksburg. 

15. — Gen. Foster arrived at Newbern, N. C, from Washington, N. C, 
where his army was beseiged. — Soige raised by the rebels. 

16. — Federal gunboats Benton, Tuscumbia, Lafayette, Pittsburg, Caron- 
delet. Gen. Price and three transports ran past the rebel batteries at« 
Vicksburg in the night, losing only one transport and no men. 

17. — Engagement at Vermillion Bayou, La., resulting in success for our 
troops. — Col. Grierson started on his great cavalry expedition for Baton 
Rouge, La., from Lagrange, Tenn. — Gen. Donelson (rebel) died. 

18. — Fayetteville, Ark., attacked by the rebels, who were repulsed. — 
Fighting near Memphis, Tenn. — Steamer St. Johns captured off Charleston, 
S. C. — C.ipt. McDermott, of gunboat Cayuga, killed near Sabine Pass. 

19. — Rebel battery at the West Branch, Nansemond River, near Suffolk, 
Va., captured. — Our forces landed at Eastport, Miss. — Sloop Neptune cap- 
tured off Charleston, S. C. — Steamer Norseman destroyed off Charleston. 

20. — Opelousas and Washington, La., occupied by Gen. Banks. — Rebel 
fort at Butte a la Rose, La., captured. 

21.— Visit of Gen. Halleck to Suffolk, Va. 

22. — McMinnville, Tenn., taken by our troops, and the rebel stores there 
destroyed. — A large force with gunboats ran past the rebel batteries at 
Vicksburg. — Union raid on Middleton, Tenn. 

23. — Gen. Hunter addressed a letter to Jeff. Davis, threatening retalia- 
tion for the execution of negro soldiers and their ofScers. 

24. — Skirmish near Suffolk. 

25. — Tuscumbia, Ala., occupied by our cavalry. — Ship Dictator destroyed 
by the pirate Georgia. — Rebel batteries at Duck River Shoals, Tenn., were 
silenced, and 25 rebels killed and wounded. 

2G. — The rebels under Marmaduke at Cape Girardeau, Mo., routed. — 
Schooner Clarinda, blockade runner, captured. — Rebel cotton gin and mills 
and large quantities of corn destroyed at Deer Creek, Miss., by Union forces. 



KECOIiD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 329 

1 S 6 3 , 

27. — ^Scouting expedition under Gren. Stahl left Fairfax Court House, 
Va. — Fighting near Kingston, N. C. — Stoneinan's cavalry expedition left 
Warrenton Junction, Va. — U. S. sloop of war Preble destroj'ed by fire. 

28. — Skirmish near Kingston, N. C, continued. — Stoneman's cavalry 
crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford. 

29. — The Rappahannock crossed by Gen. Hooker at Kelly's Ford in the 
advance upon Fredericksburg. — Attack on the rebel batteries at Grand Gulf, 
Miss., by Porter's fleet, which was considerably damaged, and many wound- 
ed and 20 killed. — Haines's Bluff, near Vicksburg, bombarded. — Orange 
Springs reached by Gen. Stoneman's cavalry. — Louisa Court House, Va., 
reached by Stoneman's cavalry in the night. — Ship Oneida destroyed by the 
Florida. The bark Henrietta also destroj'ed. 

30. — Fast day in the United States. — Chancellorville, Va., occupied by 
Gen. Hooker's army. — Withdrawal of the rebel Gen. Longstreet's army 
from the south side of the James River commenced. — Cavalry fight at Day- 
ton's Gap, Ala. — Gen. Grant's army landed at Bruiusburg, Miss., near Port 
Gibson. 

MAY. 

1. — Battle of Chancellorsville commenced. — Cavalry engagement at 
Blountsville, Ala. — Battle of Thompson's Hills, Miss., or Port Gibson. 1 1,000 
rebels defeated and many prisoners taken. — Port Gibson occupied. 

2. — Battle of Chancellorsville continued. Union forces under Hookei 
repulsed with heavy loss on both si(ies. — Stonewall Jackson mortally 
wounded. — Big Black River, Miss., reached by our forces. — Col. Grierson's 
cavalry force reached Baton Rouge, La., from Tenn. 

3. — Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., continued. The Chancellor mansion 
shelled and burned by the rebels. — Gen. Berry killed. — Attack upon Frede- 
ricksburg by Gen. Sedgwick. Storming of Mary's Hill. — Fight near Suf- 
folk, Va. — Fighting near Warrenton Junction, Va. — Capture of Grand Gulf, 
Miss., by Admiral Porter's fleet. — Louisa Court House, Columbia, Gooch- 
land, Beaver Dam, Ashland and Hanover Court-House, Va., reached by our 
cavalry. — Capture of Col. Streight's Union cavalry, near Rome, Ga. 

4. — Panic in Richmond, Va., on the approach of Stoneman's cavalry ; 
they went within two miles of that city. He reached Chickahominy Bridge. 
• — Meadow Bridge, on the Chickahominy, destroyed by Col. Kilpatrick.— 
Schooner Jtmiper, blockade-runner cajjtured. 

5. — C. L. Vallandigham arrested at Dayton, for treason. — Riot and at- 
tempt to rescue him at Dayton. — Retreat of the army of the Potomac from 



330 EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1863. 

Chancellorsville, across the Rappahannock. — The Gov. of Miss, called on the 
people of the State to arouse for its defence. 

G. — Trial of Vallandigham at Cincinnati commenced. — Gen. Hookei 
issued an address to his army, in respect to the battles at Chancellorsville. — 
Severe battle at Clinton, Miss. — Steamer Eugenie captured off Mobile Bay, 
by a Union gunboat. — Battle of Fourteen-Mile Creek, near Vicksburg. 

7. — President Lincoln and Gen. Halleck visited the army of the Poto- 
mac at Falmouth, Va. — Arrival of Col. Kilpatrick at Gloucester Point, Ya., 
from a ride around Lee's army. — Death of Gen. Whipple. — Trial of Vallan- 
digham concluded. — West Point, Va., occupied by our forces. — Bridges, etc., 
near White House, Va., destroyed by our troops. — Gen. Lee issued a con- 
gratulatory address to his army. — Steamer Cherokee captured off Charleston, 
S. C. 

8. — Proclamation of President Lincoln in relation to the draft, defining 
the duties of persons of foreign birth. — Gen. T. F. Meagher resigned his 
commission. — Gen. Banks reached Alexandria, La., having captured in his 
expedition 2,000 prisoners, 20 pieces of artillery, 2 transports, and a large 
amount of property. 

9. — Rebel guerrillas attacked at Horseshoe Bend, on the Cumberland 
River, Tenn. — Schooner Sea Lion captured off Mobile Bay. 

10. — Death of Stonewall Jackson. "^ 

12. — Union victory at Ra3rmond, Miss. 

13. — The rebels defeated at Mississippi Spring, Miss. — Gen. Joe Johnston 
arrived at Jackson, Miss, — A large amount of rebel property destroyed at 
Yazoo City. — Schooner A. I. Hodge captured. — Ship Crown Point burned 
by the privateer Florida. 

14. — Jackson, Miss., taken by General Grant. — Resignation of Gen. 
Thos. F. Meagher accepted. — Schooner Sea Bird captured. — Clinton, Aliss., 
occupied by our troops. 

15. — Capture of a company of U. S. cavalry at Charlestown, Md. — De- 
struction of rebel stores at York River, Va. — Fight at Carrsville, Va. — 
Jackson, Miss.; evacuation of by Union ti'oops commenced. — British brigan- 
tine and blockade-runner Cornet captured. — Ship Byzantium burned by the 
privateer Tacony. 

16. — Capture of the cavalry taken by the rebels at Charlestown, Md. — 
Rebels under Gen. Pemberton defeated at Edward's Station, Miss. — Great 
battle at Baker's Creek, near Vicksburg, called the battle of Champion's 
Hill. — Engagement at Berry's Ferry, Va. 

17. — Blockade-runner steamer Cuba pursued and destroyed, and schooner 
Hunter captured. — Battle of Big Black River Bridge, Miss. 

18. — Vallandigham sentenced to confinement in Fort Warren. — Union 



RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 331 

18 3. 

victory on the Big Black River, Miss. — Capture of Haines' Bluff, near Vicks- 
burg, by Admiral Porter. — Schooner Isabel destroyed off Mobile Bay. — 
Schooner Ripple captured off Mobile Bay. 

]9. — Gen. Meagher took leave of his troops. — Richmond, Mo., sacked by 
gnerrillcis. — Vicksburg fortifications assaulted. — Blockade-runner steamer 
Union captured. 

20. — Vicksburg invested. — Steamer Stono, late United States gunboat 
Isaac Smith, destroyed off Charleston. — ^Bark G-oodspeed destroyed by the 
Tacony. 

21. — Assault on the rebel works at Vicksburg, Miss. Oar forces repulsed 
with severe loss. 

22. — The sentence of Vallandigham changed to banishment to the Con- 
federacy. — Blockade-runner Eagle captured. — Assault on Vicksburg con- 
tinued. — Battle at Gum Swamp, N. C. — Engagement at Port Hudson Plains. 

23. — Battle at Gum Swamp, N. C, continued. — Junction of Gen. Banks' 
forces with those of Gen. Augur at Bayou Sara. 

24.— -Capture of schooners Gen. Prim and Rapid and sloops Jane, AdeUne 
and Bright. 

27. — Presentation of Kearney medals to the Third army corps. — Rebels 
defeated at Florence, Ala. — Attack on Port Hudson commenced. — Union 
gunboat Cincinnati sunk by rebel batteries at Vicksburg. 

28. — Attack on Port Hudson continued. — Our forces I'cpulsed. — Blockade- 
runner Victoria captured. 

29. — Skirmish near Thoroughfare Gap, Va. — Gen. Kilpatrick left York- 
town on a raid up the Peninsula. 

30. — Attack on a train of cars near Catlett's Station, Va., by Moseby's 
rebel cavalry. — Moseby's force defeated near Greenwich, Va. — Train of cars 
destroyed near Kettle Run, Va. 

31. — Skirmishing near Monticello, Ky. — Schooner Echo captured. 

JUNE. 

1. — James Island evacuated by the Union troops. 

2. — Gen. Burnside suppressed the circulation of the New York Wcrld 
and Chicago Times in his department. 

3. — Great peace meeting in New York. — Gen. Lee broke up camp at 
Fredericksburg, Va. 

4. — Our force at Franklin, Tenn., attacked. — Gen. Burnside revoked his 
order suppressing the New York World and Chicago Times, by order of the 
President. — Brisk fight at Sataria, on the Yazoo. 

6. — .Bark Whistling Wind destroyed by a privateer. — Rebels attacked 



332 KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1S63. 

Milliken's Bend and Young's Point, near Vicksburg, but were repulsed. — 
Sbawneetown, Kan., destroyed by guerrillas. 

7. — Battle of Milliken's Bend concluded. 

9. — Severe cavalry engagement at Brandy Station, Va., on the Rappa- 
hannock. — The rebels driven from Monticello, Ky. — Departments of the 
Monongahela and Susquehanna created. — Execution of two spies by Gen. 
Kosecrans. 

10. — The draft in Indiana resisted. — Engagement near Monticello, Ky. — 
Lake Providence attacked by rebels and successfully defended by negro 
troops. — The Havelock sunk off Charleston bar. 

11. — C. L. Vallandigham nominated for Grovernor of Ohio. — Darien, Gra., 
destroyed by our forces. — The Herald destroyed by Union gunboat?, off 
Charleston harbor. — Steamer Calypso captured. — Gen. Halleck directed the 
garrison at Martinsburg and Winchester, Va., to retire to Harper's Ferry. — 
Triune, Ten., attacked by the rebels. 

12. — Gov. Curtin, of Penn., issued a proclamation calling for volunteers 
to repel the anticipated invasion of that State by the rebels. — Gen. Couch 
assumed command of the Department of the Susquehanna. — President Lin- 
c61n addressed a letter to Erastus Corning and others, in relation to the 
arrest of Vallandigham, &c. — Gen. Hunter left the Department of the South. 
— Gen. Q. A. Gilmore assumed command. — Brisk engagement between 
Union batteries on Folly Island and the rebel batteries on Morris Island, 
Charleston harbor. 

13. — Town of Eunice, near Vicbsburg, destroyed by our gunboats. — ■ 
Union forces under Gen. Milroy at Winchester, Va., attacked by rebel Gen. 
Ewell's corps, and its armament and a large part of its garrison captured. — 
The army of the Potomac fell back towards Washington. 

14. — Perryville and Martinsburg, Va., occupied by the rebels. — The army 
of the Potomac march for Maryland in pursuit of Lee. — Port Hudson as- 
saulted ; our forces repulsed with heavy loss. — Gen. Rosecrans commenced 
a forward movement. 

15. — The President called for 100,000 volunteers to repel the invasion of 
Pennsylvania. — Gov. Curtin, of Penn., called on the people of the State to 
enroll for its defence. — Chambersburg, Penn., occupied by the rebels. — Gen. 
Milroy's shattered command is pursued and engaged in a severe battle. 

IG. — Harper's Ferry reached by the remaining forces of Milroy's army. — 
Gov. Curtin appealed to the people, of Philadelphia to arm. — Gov. Parker, 
of N. J., called for volunteers to repel the invasion of Pennsylvania. — Har- 
per's Ferry invested and attacked. Our forces retired to Maryland Heights 
and shelled the rebels out. —Brig Umpire captured by the Tacony. — Gen. 
Meagher tendered the hospitalities of New York city. 



REVOUD OF Ji A T T i.Kd A K D K V E JS' T 6 . 333 

J « 6 3 . 

17-— Crreat excifcem<?nt m the North over the invaaion of Penn,^ 
Spirited cavalry engagement at Al'Jie, Va. — Draft in Ohio resJst<^;(i.— Cap- 
ture of the lef^eJ hon-^;la«i steaaier Atlanta, late the Fiogal; near Bavayuah. 

19. — Bkirrnish at Oiieaos, lud, 

20. — Ship Isaac Webb eaptured and lx;nd<jd by the TufXjuy. — Frederick. 
Md., o(x;upied by the rebels. 

21. — Orreat cnYnhy engageriient near Middleburg and Upperville, Va, — 
Tlxe rebels driven from Fiederiek, Md. 

22.— iliUerstciwn, eight mile^ frorn Gettysburg, Penn., occupied by the 
rebels, — <j-reencastle reoocupied by the rel^els. The portion of E well's c<>.'p8 
whidi had not yet ariived in Penn. crossed the Potonoac and moved up tl;e 
valley, — The rebels driven from Cumlx;rland, Md. — Bra^hear City, La., cap- 
tured by the rebels. 

23. — CliaKil><;rsburg, Penn., reoccupied by the re^xrls, — Skirmishing be- 
tween portions of the Union arjd I'ebel foices ia Maryland, 

24 — Bhippensburg and Ilagergtown reached l>y a portion of the rebel 
army. Severe and fcuccesfeful skirmi«!j of Gen. E/>seeran«' army at Hoovei-'e 
Gap, Tenn, — ^The reb<ils driven fiom Liberty Gap, near Muffifiesboio'.— 
Heavy skirmisliicg near Muif)e<:!sboro', Tenn. — The main b'xly of Ij<ie's army 
entered Maiyland. crossing the Potoma/; at Bhepperdstown and Wiliiaawpoit, 

25. — Fairlfax Court House, Va., occupied by tlie reWhs.— Skirmish at 
Marysville, Penn., near Harrisburg. — Another engagenient at Liberty Gap, 
Tenn.. — Ad expedition left West Point. Va., for the interior, — Destruction 
of one of the rebel fojts at Vicksburg by the explosion <A one of our mines. 
— ^ShJp Constitution captured by the privateer Geoigia, — ^The Union army 
crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry. — Gen. Iiosecran« resumed ha 
march. 

26. — Gettysburg, Penn., occupied by tlie rebels, — Gov. Curtin issued an- 
other proclamation to the people of Penn, — liebel privateer Archer (wii,h 
the crew of the Taoony) entered Portland harlx^r, and captured the revenue 
cutter Caleb Gushing. — WhiUi House, Va.. occupied by our troops. —Death 
of Com. Foote. — Gen. W. F. L*>e captured. 

27. — The adva-ice of Gen. Eosecrans' army arrived at Manchester, Tenn. 
— Kingston, Penn., occupied by the rebels. — York, Penu., also occupied, — 
Chambersburg, Penn., occupied by the division of the rebel army uBider 
Gens, LongstJeet and Hill, — ^The whole rel>el army consisting of !30,000 in- 
fantry, upwaid of 10.000 cavalry and 4,000 or !j()00 artillery are in Md, 
and Penn. 

28. — G<:rn. Hooker relieved of the command of the army of the Potomae 
and Gen. Meade appointed in his place. — Bridge over tiie Susquehan-':a at 
Columbia,, Penn., bui-ned, — ^Mechauiesburg surrendered to the rebek. — 



334 KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1863. 

Brookville, Md., occupied by the rebels.— Attempt of the rebels to take our 
fort at Donaldson ville, La. 

29. — Wrightsville, Penn., evacuated by the rebels. — Fight at McCon- 
nellsburg, Penn. — Gen. Meade's army put in motion and at night was put 
in position, its left at Emmettsburg and its right at New Windsor. — Rebels 
driven from Dercherd, Tenn. 

30. — York, Penn., evacuated by the rebels. — Martial law proclaimed in 
Baltimore. — Skirmish at Sporting Hill, Penn., near Oyster Point. — Cavalry 
battle at Hanover Junction, Penn. — Skirmish near Mechanicsburg, Penn. — 
Gen. Buferd passed through Gettysburg on a reconnoisance in force. — At 
nightfall the greater part of the rebel force was concentrated in the imme- 
diate vicinity of two corps of the Union army. — Rebel outworks breached 
at Vicksburg. 

JULY. 

1. — First day of the battle of Gettysburg. — The First and Eleventh army 
corps engaged and repulsed. — Maj. Gen. Reynolds killed. — Large losses on 
both sides. — Brilliant fight at Carlisle between the rebel cavalry and artillery 
and our forces, under Gen. W, F. Smith. — TuUahoma occupied by Rose- 
crans' forces. 

2. — Second day of the battle of Gettysburg. Rebels repulsed. Gens. 
Weed and Zook killed, and Gen. Sicldes wounded. The rebel Gen. Barks- 
dale, ol" Mississippi, killed. Chambersburg and Shippensburg, Penn., evacu- 
ated by the rebels. — Skirmish near Bottom's Bridge, Va. 

3. — The battle of Gettysburg concluded. Heavy losses on both sides, 
A great victory gained by the Union army, and the rebels compelled to re- 
treat. — Rebel pontoon bridge over the Potomac near Williamsport, Md., 
destroyed. — Departure of a cavalry expedition from Newbern, N. C, into 
the interior.— Conference of Union and rebel commanders at Vicksburg, 
Miss., relative to the surrender of the city to our forces. 

4. — Surrender of Vicksburg, Miss., with 31,000 troops, 220 guns and 
70,000 small arms, to Gen. U. S. Grant. — Union victory at Helena, Ark. — 
The retreat of the rebels from the battle-field of Gettysburg, Penn., com- 
menced. — Proclamation of President Lincoln announcing a victory at 
Gettysburg. — Gen. Meade issued a congratulatory address to his army oa 
the victory. — Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-President of the Confederate 
States, applied for permission to visit Washington as bearer of a letter from 
JelF. Davis to President Lincoln. He was refused. 

5. — The day occupied by Gen. Meade in succoring the wounded and 
burying the dead left on the field of Gettysburg. — Vallaudigham arrives at 
Halifax, N. S. 



KECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 335 

1863. 

6. -Defeat of the rebel Gen. Johnson on the Big Black. His rear-guard 
captured at Bolton. — The rebel army from Gettysburg arrived at ilagers- 
town, Md. — Defeat of Stuart by Buford at Hanover. 

7. — Fight at Williamsport, Md. — The rebel Gen. Morgan's force at 
Bardstown, Ky. — Morgan's forces capture 2 steamers at Brandenburg, Ky. 
— Retreat of Bragg's army across the Tennessee River; Gen. Meade started 
in pursuit of Lee, by a flank movement on Middletown. 

8. — Surrender of Port Hudson, with 7,000 prisoners, and a large num- 
ber of cannon and small arms, to Gen. Banks. — The rebel Gen. Morgan 
crossed into Indiana, and captured the town of Corydon. — Gen. Gilmore 
issued orders for an attack on Morris Island, Charleston harbor. 

9. — Port Hudson taken possession of by our army. — Victory of our 
cavalry under Buford and Kilpatrick at Boonsboro. 

10. — Gen. Gilmore commenced operations against the rebel batteries on 
Morris Island, Charleston harbor. — Gen. Strong took possession of several 
of the rebel works — Martial law declared in Louisville, Ky. — Engagement 
at Jackson, Miss. — Engagement at Sharpsburg, Md. — Morgan burns depot 
at Salem, Ind. 

IL — Brilliant engagement on Morris Island. All the batteries evacuated 
by the rebels, who defended themselves in Fort Wagner. — Commencement 
of the draft in New York city. 

12. — Our forces entered Hagerstown, Md., the rebels having evacuated 
the town in the night. — Our forces having passed through South Mountain, 
came up with the rebel army of Gen. Lee, securely posted on the heights 
of Marsh's Run. — Morgan's raid reaches Ohio. 

13. — Commencement of the great draft riot in New York city.— The 
drafting office in Third avenue destroyed ; a negro hung, and public and 
private property destroyed. — Gen. Lee's army escaped across the Potomac 
River in the night. — Gen. Meade reconnoitered the rebel position, and n^iade 
preparations for an attack. — Engagement at Jackson, Tenn. — Capture of 
Yazoo City by our troops. 

14. — The draft riot in New York City continued ; business suspended ; 
negroes hung; Col. O'Brien killed; conflict between the mob and soldiers; 
proclamation of Gov. Seymour ; be also delivers a speech to the rioters at 
the City Hall ; Postmaster Wakeman's house destroyed. — Riot in Boston. — 
Advance of Gen. Meade. — Our cavalry occupied Falling "Waters, on the 
Potomac, and captured numbers of rebels. — Williamsport, Md., occupied by 
our forces. — Admiral Lee captured Fort Powhatan, on the James River. 

15. — The draft riot in New York continued ; the military routed ; more 
negroes hung; terrible excitement in New York and neighborhood; pro- 
clamation of Mayor Opdyke. — Gen. Dix ordered to New York, and Gen. 



336 KECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

18 6 3. 

J. G. Foster to Fort Monroe. — Proclamation of the President issued appoint- 
ing August G for a National Thanksgiving for our great victories. — A mob 
in Troy destroyed the Times office and other propert}-. — Arrival of Valian- 
dighara at Niagara Falls, Canada, — Jackson, Miss., shelled by our forces. — Jell. 
Davis issued a proclamation immcuiately conscripting every able-bodied man 
between the ages of 18 and 45. — Gen. Blunt crossed the Arkansas Eiver. 

16. — The draft riot in New York continued ; Archbishop Hughes invited 
the mob to visit him at Ids residence on the following day. — Arrival of 
Seventh regiment in New York. — Gen. Joe Johnston evacuated Jackson, 
Miss., in the night. — The rebels routed iu the Indian country. — Brisk en- 
gagement on James Island, S. C. — Victory of Gen. Blunt at Elk Creek over 
5,000 rebels. — Jackson, Miss., taken by our army. 

17. — Quiet restored in New York; the draft riot suppressed; Gen. 
Brown succeeded by Gen. Canby in command of the troops in New York; 
speech of Archbishop Hughes to the mob. — Battle with the rebel Gen. 
Morgan at Berlin, Ohio. — Two exiDeditions, one up the Eed Piiver, and one 
to Natchez ; made large captures of arms, ammunition and cattle. 

18. — Storming of Fort Wagner, Charleston harbor. — Arrival of Gen. 
Foster at Fort Monroe. — Gen. Lee's rear-guard left Martinsburg, Va.— 
Morgan's force dispersed and a large number of his men captured. — Fight 
with Morgan's men at Buffington Island, Ohio. — Maj. McCook mortally 
wounded. — Admiral Porter reported the complete success of the Red River 
expedition.- — Bombardment of Fort Wagner, Charleston harbor ; the fort 
stormed and our troops repulsed. 

19. — 'Tiie rebel Morgan made an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Ohio 
River ; more of his men captured. — Two companies of rebels and an aunnu- 
nition train captured at Jackson, Tenn. 

20. — Gov. Seymour ordered the return of the State arms used against 
the rioters in New York City. — Cava!ry recoimoissauce to Front Royal, Va. 
Sharp fight with the rebel guerrilla Morgan, and capture of Col. Basil Duke, 
with a large portion of his force at George's Creek. — Destruction of railroad 
and other property at Rocky Mount, N. C, by an expedition of Union 
troops. 

22. — Railroad bridge, 350 feet long, over Tar River, at Rocky Mount, 
N. C, destroyed by a cavalry expedition from Newbern. Recapture of 
Brashear City, La., by our troops and gunboats. 

23. — Sharp fight near Front Royal, Va. 

21— Col. Toland attacked the enemy at Wytheville, on the East Ten- 
nessee and Virginia Railroad, capturing two pieces of artillery, 700 muskets 
^nd 125 prisoners. — Skirmish with Morgan's men at Washington, Ohio. 

25. — Steamer Merrimac captured, running the blockade at Wilmington. 



EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. SS't 

1S63. 

26. — Death of Hon. John J. Crittenden. — Gen. Morgan and the remainder 
of his band captured near New Lisbon, Ohio. 

27. — The rebel pirate Alabama arrived off the coast of Africa near Cape 
of Good Hope. 

28. — Death of the traitor WilHam L. Yancey, of Alabama. — The rebels 
defeated at Lexington, Tenn. 

29. — Repulse of the rebels at Paris, Ky. 

30. — Proclamation of President Lincoln in regard to rebel treatment of 
colored troops, issued. — Rebels defeated at "Winchester, Ky. 

31. — Heavy bombardment of our vs'orks on Morris Island, Charleston 
harbor from Fort Wagner. — Successful attack on the rebels at Lancaster, 
Ky. — Reconnoissance to Sperryville,Va. 

AUGUST. 

1. — Battle between the cavalry of the two armies near Culpepper, Va. — 
Jeff. Davis appealed to the deserters from the rebel army to return, offering 
them pardon and amnesty. 

2. — Several hundred rebels captured at Folly Island. 

3. — Gov. Seymour indited a letter to the President, remonstrating against 
the enforcement of the draft in New York City. ' 

4. — Engagement near Brandy Station, Va. — Steamer Ruth, with 
$2,500,000 in Government funds, burned on the Mississippi River. 

6. — Ship Francis B. Cutting captured and bonded by the Florida. — 
National Tliauksgiving Day. 

7. — Reply of President Lincoln to Gov. Seymour's letter of remonstrance 
against the draft. 

8. — Gov. Seymour replied to President Lincoln's letter relative to the 
draft. 

10. — Admiral Farragut arrived at New York. 

11. — President Lincoln ended the correspondence with Gov. Seymour 
relative to the draft. 

12. — Fort Sumter, Charleston harbor, battered by our shot. — The rebels 
return the fire from their batteries. 

13. — An expedition left Lagrange, Tenn., for Central Mississippi. 

14. — Death of Com. Morris. — Gen. Gilmore tries his guns on Charleston. 

15.— The authorities of the City of New York appropriate $3,000,000 to 
pay for substitutes. 

16. — Steamer Alice Vivian captured running out of Mobile. — Gen. Rose- 
crans commenced his advance across the Cumberland Mountains. — 'Steamer 
City of Madison exploded at Vicksburg, killing 150 men. 



338 EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1863. 

17. — Great destruction of rebel property at Grenada by our troops from 
Tennessee. — Grand attack on Fort Sumter, Charleston harbor, begun.— 
Address of Gen. Dix to the citizens of New York, relative to the draft. — 
Steamer Nita captured running out of Mobile. 

18. — Bombardment of Fort Sumter continued. 

19. — Draft in New York City recommenced. — Bombardment of Forf 
Sumter continued. 

20. — Bombardment of Fort Sumter continued. — The Tennessee Eiver 
reached by Gen. Rosecrans. 

21, — Lawrence, Kan., pillaged and burned by guerrillas. — Gon. Gilmore 
demanded the surrender of Morris Island and Fort Sumter, and threatened 
to shell Charleston in case of non-compliance. — Our batteries opened on 
Charleston, S. C, in the night. — The advance of the army of the Cumber- 
land appeared before Chattanooga, Tenn., and opened fire on the city. 

22. — Gen. Beauregard protested against the shelling of the City of 
Charleston. 

23. — Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, N. C, bombarded by the frigate 
Minnesota. — Capture of Gen. JeJBf. Thompson and staff near Pocahontas, Ark. 

24, — Charleston, S. C, again shelled by Gen. Gilmore. 

25. — 125 bodies buried at Lawrence, Kan., victims of the guerrilla 
Quantrell. 

26. — Expedition left Williamsburg, Va., for Bottom's Bridge, Va, — Attack 
on the rebel rifle-pits near Fort Wagner. 

27. — Death of the rebel John B, Floyd. — Union army train captured 
near Phillippi, Va. 

28. — The rebels driven across Bayou Metairie Bridge, Ark., with con- 
siderable loss, 

30. — The army of the Cumberland crossed the Tennessee River, 

31. — Fort Moultrie, Charleston harbor, attacked. — Fort Smith, Ark., 
taken by Gen, Blunt (Union). 

SEPTEMBER. 

1. — Fierce artillery fight at Port Royal, Va. — Knoxville, Tenn., captured 
by Gen. Foster, of Burnside's army. — Fort Smith, Ark., occupied by our 
forces. 

2. — Kingston, Tenn,, captured by Gen, Burnside. — Gunboats Satellite 
and Reliance, lately taken by rebels, recaptured and burned by Union forces, 

3. — Battle with the Indians at Whitestone Hall. 

4. — Bread Riot in Mobile, Ala. — An expedition left New Orleans, La,, 
for Texas, under Gen, Franklin 



RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 339 

1863. 

5. — Furious bombardment of Forts Wagner and Gregg, Charleston harbor. 
6. — The rebels evacuated Forts Wagner and Gregg, on Morris Island, at 
night. 

7. — Gen. Gilmore took possession of Fort Wagner and Battery Gregff 
in the morning, having captured 36 pieces of artillery and a large amount of 
ammunition. 

8. — Skirmish at Bath, Va. — Unsuccessful naval assault on Fort Sumter. 
— ^Bombardment of Fort Moultrie. One of its magazines exjDloded. — Unsue 
cessful attack on the rebel fortifications of Sabine Pass, Texas. 

9. — Gen. Crittenden took possession of Chattanooga, Tenn. — Cumberlatid 
Gap taken by our army. — Bombardment of Fort Moultrie continued. — Skir- 
mish at Telford, East Tennessee. 

10. — Little Eock, Ark., occupied by our forces. 

11. — Arrival at New York of the first vessel of the Russian fleet. — Im- 
boden attacked a small force of our troops at Moorefield, wounding 15 and 
capturing about 150. 

13. — Brilhant cavalry fight at Culpepper, Va. — Gen. Eosecrans' army 
attacked at Bird's Gap. 

15. — Proclamation of the President^ suspending the writ of habeas corpus 
in certain cases. — Order of Gen. Gilmore congratulating his troops on their 
success in Charleston harbor. 

16. — Skirmish at Eaccoon Ford on the Rapidan. 

19. — Commencement of the great Battle of Chickamauga, — Our army 
attacked in large force by the rebels under Gen. Bragg, who had been rein- 
forced by Gen. Longstreet's corps from Virginia. — Defeat of the rebels in the 
Indian country. 

20. — The great battle at Chickamauga, Ga., continued. — Union attack on 
ZoUicoffer, Tenn. 

21. — Gen. Thomas repelled the assault of the rebels on his corps at Eoss- 
ville. The result of the conflict was our forces were repulsed and compelled 
to fall back to Chattanooga, badly broken up. Our losses heavy. The 
rebels' also heavy in ofl&cers and men. — Gen. Thomas' corps displayed great 
gallantry,, and by its bravery saved the army from great disaster. 

22. — Gallant cavalry action near Madison Court House, Va. — Skirmish 
near Eockville, Md. 

24. — Alexandria, Va., opened to trade, by proclamation of the President. 
28. — The army of the Potomac reviewed by Gen. Cortez. 
29. — ^Engagement near Morganzia, La. 



340 RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1863. 
C T B E E . 

1. — Reception of the officers of the Russian fleet by the military and civil 
. authorities of New York. 

2. — Successful cavalry engagement at Anderson's Cross-roads, Ky. 

3. — Proclamation of the President issued, appointing November 2G as 
Thanksgiving Day. — McMinnville, Tenn., attacked by rebels. 

5. — Railroad bridge south of Murfreesboro, Tenn., destroyed by the 
rebels. — The rebel batteries opened on Rosecrans at Chattanooga. — Frigate 
Ironsides attacked by a rebel vessel and torpedo in Charleston harbor in the 
night. — Engagement at Blue Springs, Tenn. 

8. — The rebel rams in the Mersey placed under the supervision of English 
officials. 

10. — Sharp fight with the rebel Stuart's cavalry at Robertson's River. — 
Skirmish between the rebels and Gen. Burnside's forces at Blue Springs, 
Tenn. — Engagement at James City, Va. — Commencement of the strategical 
movements of the army of the Potomac and that of Gen. Lee. — Jeff. Davis 
reviewed the rebel array before Chattanooga. 

11. — The army of the Potomac withdrew to the north side of the Rap- 
pahannock. — Attack on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, near Ger- 
mantown, Tenn. 

12. — The rebels driven to Brandy Station, Va. 

13. — Defeat of Vallandigham, candidate for governor of Ohio. — Re-elec- 
tion of Gov. Curtin, of Pennsylvania. 

14. — Battle of Broad River, or Bristoe Station, Va. 

16. — Gen. Grant ordered to the command of the Departments of the 
Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee. — Rebel raid into Brownsville, Mo, 

17. — Spirited engagement at Manassas Junction. — The President called 
for 300,000 volunteers to be raised before the 5th of January, when, if not 
raised, a draft would be ordered. 

18. — Gen. Grant assumed command of the Deparments of the Ohio, Cum- 
berland and Tennessee. — Charlestown, Va., attacked by the rebels. — Arrival 
of Secretary Stanton in Louisville, Ky. 

19. — Gen. Rosecrans rehnquishes the command of the army of the Cum- 
berland. 

20. — Gen. George H. Thomas assumed command of the army of the 
Cumberland. — Gov. Seymour issued a proclamation in response to that of 
the President calling for troops. 

21. — ^Battle near Tuscumbia, Ala. — Fight near PliiladeIphia,Tenn. — Cavalry 
skirmish near Sulphur Springs, Va. 

22. — Cavalry skirmish near Fayetteville, Va 



RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 341 

1863. 

23.— Execution of Dr. Wright at Norfolk, Va. 

26. — Skirmishing along the lines of the Army of the Potomac. — Bom- 
bardment of Fort Sumter renewed. — Gren. Hooker moved from Bridgeport, 
Tenn. 

27. — Shells thrown into Charleston, S. C, by Gen. Gilmore. 

29. — Gen. Hooker s division of the army at Chattanooga repulsed an 
attack of the enemy. — Battle near Lookout Mountain, important in having 
re-established our communications with the army at Chattanooga, — The 
rebels repulsed at Pine Bluff, Ark. — Our troops occupied Arkadelphia, Ark. 

29. — Furious bombardment of Fort Sumpter. 

30. — Union meeting at Little Rock, Ark. 

NOVEMBER. 

1. — Discovery of a plot to liberate the rebel prisoners in Ohio. 

2. — Occupation of Brazos Island, Texas, and capture of Boca Chica by 
Gen. Banks' army. 

3. — Election in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mis- 
souri and Wisconsin. — Success of the Union ticket in all the States but one. 
— Reconnoissance to Falmouth, Va. — Repulse of the rebels at Colliersville, 
Tenn. — ^Battle of Bayou Coteau in the Teche country. La. 

4. — Capture of Brownsville, Texas, by Gen. Banks' army. 

5. — Ball in New York in honor of the Russians. — Skirmish at Metley's 
Ford, Tenn. — Capture of the steamer Margaret and Jessie by the Fulton. — 
Gen. Averill defeated the enemy near Lewisburg, Va., capturing three pieces 
of artillery, 100 prisoners, and a large number of small arms, wagons, and a 
large quantity of camp equipage. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded 
estimated at 350. 

6. — Engagement in West Virginia. — Reconnoissance of the Chowan 
River N. C, to near the mouth of the Blackwater. 

7. — Battle on the banks of the Rappahannock, near Rappahannock Station, 
our army very successful. — Continuation of the reconnoissance of the Chowan 
River, N. C. 

8. — Cavalry fight at Hazel Run, Va. — Gen. Meade reported that the 
rebels had evacuated their position on the Rappahannock. Our army 
moved in pursuit to Brandy Station. Our captures in the fight at Rappa- 
Gaimock were four guns, eight battle-flags, and over 1,900 prisoners. — Cap- 
ture of the rebel steamer Cornubia at Wilmington, N. C. 

9. — Reconnoissance to Culpepper, Va. — Gen. Meade issued a congratu- 
iatory order to his troops on their successful passage of the Rappahannock. 

11. — Formal presentation to Gen. Meade of the battle-flags captured in 



342 KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1863. 

the battle on the evening of the 7th. — Lord Lyons ofScially informed the 
Government at Washington that he had received information from the Gov- 
ernor-General of Canada of a plot to invade the United States from Canada, 
destroy the Cit}^ of Buffalo and liberate the rebel prisoners on Johnson's 
Island, in Lake Erie. — Gen. Butler assigned to the command of the North 
Carolina Department, headquarters at Fortress Monroe. — Gen. Foster took 
leave of his command at Fort Monroe. 

12. — Strikes of the laborers, car-drivers, and conductors in New York 
city ; stoppage of the cars on some of the city railroads. — Gen. Kilpatrick's 
camp, near Stevensburg, Va., shelled by the rebels. — A body of rebel cavalry 
crossed the Tenn. River and destroyed two railroad bridges near Lynnville. 

14. — Gen. Longstreet crossed the Tennessee River in his march against 
KnoxviUe, Tenn. 

15. — Reconnoissance of our forces along the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford. — • 
Advance in force of Gen. Longstreet on Burnside's force. — Our forces under 
Burns ide retreat toward Knoxville. — Capture of Corpus Christi, Texas, by 
Gen. Banks; 

16. — The rebel battery on Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, was 
quite vigorously worked, and Hooker's camp, Moccassin Point, and the 
Chattanooga camps shelled. — Our outposts near Knoxville attacked by the 
rebel advanced guard. 

17. — One of our camps near Chattanooga shelled by a rebel battery.— 
Commencement of the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., by Longstreet's army. — 
Shell thrown into Charleston from Fort Gregg. — Schooner Jas. L. Gerety, 
from Matamoras, seized by rebel passengers. — Cavalry fight near Strass- 
burg, Va. — Capture of Aranzas, Texas, by Gen. Banks' troops. 

19. — The Gettysburg battle-field consecrated as a National Cemetery for 
the Union soldiers who fell in the July battles at that place. Addresses by 
President Lincoln and Edward Everett. — Attack on a rebel camp at New 
Iberia, La. 

23. — The battle of Chattanooga commenced. — Our forces advanced di- 
rectly in front of the fortifications, drove in the enemy's pickets, and carried 
his first line of rifle-pits. Gen. Hooker carried the northern slope of Look- 
out Mountain. 

24. — Gen. Sherman crossed the Tennessee River before daylight, at the 
mouth of the South Chickamauga, and carried the northern extremity of 
Missionary Ridge. — Battle of Lookout Mountain. 

25. — ^Brisk engagement near Chattanooga. The rebels driven entirely 
off Lookout Mountain. Missionary Ridge taken from the rebels. — Battle of 
Tunnel Hill. Gen. Grant announces a complete victory over Bragg. — The 
rebels repialsed at Kingston, Term. 



RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 343 

1S63. 

26. — Thanksgiving Day. — Advance of the army of the Potomac. Cross- 
ing of the Rapidan. — Severe cavalry battle near the Rapidan, in which the 
rebels were driven back. — Our forces left their camp near Missionary Ridge, 
and marched toward Cliickamauga, which they reached at 10 a. m., the 
rebels had left the place, after destroying a large quantity of stores, &c. 
Hooker's column engaged in skirmishing., 

27. — Gen. Grant reported that the route of the rebela was most complete, 
and that Bragg's loss would fully reach 60 pieces of artillery. — Gen. Hook- 
er's, Palmer's and Sherman's commands reported ten miles beyond Chicka- 
mauga Creek, in pursuit of the rebels. — ^Pight near Germania Ford, on the 
south side of the Rapidan. — The rebels fell back to a stronger position. — 
Hooker's corps engaged near Ringgold, Ga.' — ^Battle of Ringgold. Gen. 
Hooker severely repulsed. — Escape of the rebel Gen. John Morgan and six 
of his officers, from the Ohio Penitentiary, in the night. 

28. — The rebels feign an attack in force upon a large portion of our hne, 
at Knoxville. 

29. — The rebels in front of Knoxville repulsed with heavy loss. 

30. — The rebels blew up the magazines of Fort Esperanza, Matagorda 
Bay, Texas. 

DECEMBER. 

1. — The army of tlie Potomac commenced falling back, and at night 
crossed the Rapidan in safety. 

2. — The rebel cavalry repulsed at Clinch River, Tenn. 

4. — Rebel cavalry attack on our forage wagons near Harrison, twelve 
miles from Chattanooga. 

5. — Destruction of the steamer Isaac Newton. — The rebels threatened 
our forces near the Rapidan. — Gen. Butler issued an important order rela- 
tive to colored troops. 

G. — Gen. Sherman's army of reUef arrived at Knoxville. — Steamer 
Chesapeake taken possession of, in the night, by sixteen rebel passengers, 
near Cape Cod. — The monitor Weehawken foundered at her anchors inside 
Charleston (S. C.) harbor. — Rebel attack on Union troops garrisonmg 
Natchez, Miss. 

7. — Meeting of Congress. Election of Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives. President Lincoln issues a proclamation, recom- 
mending the people to assemble and give thanks. — Gen. Foster reported 
Longstreet in full retreat. — A division of Gen. Kelly's troops moved from 
Beverly, Va., to co-operate with Gen. Averill's expedition. 

8. — The House of Representatives unanimously passed a vote of thanks 
to Gen. U. S. Grant and his army, and ordered a medal for the general — 



344 BECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1863. 

proclamation of amnesty issued by the President. Gen. Averill's expedition 
moved to cut the Virginia and Tenn. Raih-oad. 

9. — The President's Message transmitted to Congress. — The captain and 
crew of the Chesapeake landed at St. John. 

10. — Shells thrown into Charleston, S. C, in the night. 

11. — Fort Sumter on fire. 

12. — Gen. Butler gave notice that the rebel authorities had refused to 
receive more supplies for the Union prisoners in Richmond. — The rebel Gen. 
John Morgan escaped across the Tennessee River at Gillespie's Landing, 60 
miles from Chattanooga. 

14. — A portion of Gen. Longstreet's army made a descent on our forces 
near Bean's Station, Tenn. 

16. — The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad cut at Salem by Gen. Averill's 
cavalry expedition. Three depots were destroyed, containing 2,000 barrels 
of flour, 10,000 bushels of wheat, 100,000 bushels of shelled corn, 50,000 
bushels of oats, 2,000 barrels of meat, and many other articles. 

17. — The steamer Chesapeake, captured by rebel passengers on Dec. 6, 
retaken by the Ella and Annie in Sambro harbor, near Halifax, N. S. — Raid 
of Stuart's rebel cavalry on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. 

18. — Explanations made between Lord Lyons and Secretary Seward 
relative to the capture of the Chesapeake. 

19. — The Chesapeake delivered over to British authorities at Halifax. 
The prisoners, on landing, were rescued by the citizens. 

22. — Death of Gen. Michael Corcoran. 

24. — Vigorous bombardment of the city of Charleston, S. C, in the night. 

25. — The shelUng of Charleston, S. C, continued ; ten or twelve buildings 
destroyed by fire. 

27. — Obsequies of Gen. Corcoran. 

29. — Return to Harper's Ferry of an expedition sent to cooperate with 
that of Gen. Averill. 



RECOKDOF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 345 

1864. 

JANUARY. 

1. — Arrest of parties in New York, and seizure of about $6,000,000 in 
Confederate bonds and $1,000,000 in Confederate Treasury Notes. 

3. — Three hundred of our troops at Jonesville, Va., attacked by an over- 
whelming force of rebels. Our forces surrender. 

7. — Death of Judge Caleb B. Smith, late Secretary of the Interior. 

8. — Our garrison at Petersburgh, West Virginia, surrounded by the 
rebels. Destruction of the rebel steamer Dare. 

10. — A fight near Strawberry Plains, E. Tenn. The rebels repulsed. 

14. — The rebels under General Vance made a raid towards Tenisville, 
Tenn., and captured 23 wagons. Colouel Palmer recaptured the wagons, 
and took 150 saddle horses and 100 stand of arms. Gen. Vance was cap- 
tured. The rebel steamer Mayflower captured in Florida. 

19. — An attempt was made to burn Jefferson Davis' house at Richmond. 

24. — Gen. Butler issued an order forbidding the passage through our lines 
of white -women and children from the South. 

26. — Athens, Ala., taken by the rebels. Gen. Palmer sent an expedition 
into Jones and Onslow Counties, N. C. 

29. — Three brigades of cavalry, about 1,600 strong, skirmished with the 
rebels under Gen. Jones, thiiteen miles from Cumberland Gap. 

30. — A supply train captured by the rebels near Petersburgh, West Va. 

31. — Engagement at Smithfield, Va. Repulse of the rebels endeavoring 
to retake Cumberland Gap. 

FEBRUARY. 

1. — The President ordered that a draft for 500,000 men, to serve for 
three years or during the war, be made on the 10th day of March. 

2 — A guard posted at Patterson Creek bridge, on the Baltimore and 
Ohio Railroad, attacked by rebel cavalry. 

3. — Gen. Sherman's expedition left Vicksburg, Miss. — The rebels threat- 
ening Newbern, N. C, retired to Kingston. 

4. — Col. Mulligan drove the rebels from Moorfield, West Va. — Skirmish- 
ing of Gen. Sherman's forces near Champion Hill. 

5. — A formidable expedition left Port Royal, S. C, under command of 
Gen. Seymour, for Jacksonville, Fla. — General Sherman entered Jackson, 
Miss. — Engagement between Gen, Sherman's forces and the rebels at Bear 
Creek, Miss. 



34G RECORD OF BATTLER AND EVENTS. 

1864. 

6. — The expedition sent out by Gen. Butler made a demonstration at 
Bottom's Bridge, and drove in the rebel pickets. 

7. — An expedition sent from Knoxville, Tenn., returned, having surprised 
a body of rebels, killed and wounded 215, and taken 50 prisoners. 

8. — A band of rebel guerrillas crossed from Missouri to Kansas, near 
Aubrey. — The Florida expedition reached Jacksonville, Fla. 

11. — Gen. W. L. Smith's cavalry expedition started in the direction of 
CoUiersville, Tenn. 

12. — Passage of the Enrollment Bill by the House of Representatives. 

13. — The entire line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad evacuated 
by our forces. 

14. — Meridian evacuated by the rebels — Guerrilla attack at Tecumseh 
Landing, Miss. 

16. — The Governor of Alabama issued a proclamation to the citizens of 
Mobile, informing them that the city was about to be attacked, and exhort- 
ing non-combatants to leave. — General Sherman's expedition reached 
Meridian. 

18. — General Seymour left Jacksonville, Fla., and estabhshed a depot of 
supplies at Baldwin — Gen. Smith's Union expedition reached Okolona, 75 
miles south of Corinth, Miss. 

19. — Gen. Seymour's forces advanced to Barber's Station, a distance of 
twelve miles. 

20. — Battle of Olustee, Fla. Our troops under Gen. Seymour met 15,000 
rebels, 55 miles bej'ond Jacksonville. Our forces retired, overpowered, to 
Sanderson. 

21. — Heavy fighting at Pontotoc, Miss. 

22. — Gen. Palmer's forces occupied Ringgold, Ga. 

23. — Desperate charge on the rear-guard of Gen. Smith's cavalry force. — 
Skirmish near Tunnel Hill, Ga. In the afternoon a contest for its possession 
commenced. 

24. — Engngement at Tunnel Hill, Ga. — Passage by the Senate of a bill 
authorizing the appoiutment of a Lieutenant-General. 

25. — General Kilpatrick's forces commenced moving on an expedition to 
Richmond. — Skirmish at Bean Station. — Our army in front of Dalton, Ga. — 
Tunnel Hill carried by our forces. — Rebel raid on Maysville, Ky. 

2G. — Gen. Smith's expedition arrived in the vicinity of Memphis, Tenn. 

27.- — Kilpatrick's forces left camp near Culpepper Court-house, and en- 
camped eight miles south of the Rapidan. 

28. — Gen. Kilpatrick's forces made demonstrations in front of the rebel 
works at Mine Run. — Gen. Custer started on a reconnoissance towards 



EECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 34:7 

18 64-. 

Gordonsville — ArriTal of General Sherman at Vicksburg, on his return from 
his great raid through Mississippi. The Six Hundred Million Loan Bill 
passed Congress. 

29. — At three o'clock a. m., Gen. Kilpatrick's forces arrived at Spottsyl- 
vania Court-house. Col. Dahlgren's command attacked. Great destruction 
of bridges, railroad tracks, &c., &c. Gen. Butler ordered to send out a force 
to meet Kilpatrick. 

MARCH. 

1. — Kilpatrick's expedition reached the outer fortifications of Richmond 
early in the morning. — Kilpatrick's and Butler's forces met in the night. — 
Arrival of Gen. Sherman and his staff at New Orleans. — Return of General 
Custer's cavalry expedition to Culpepper. 

2. — Uniting of Kilpatrick's and Butler's forces. — Provost-Marshal-General 
Fry ordered the draft to take place on the 10th inst. in all sub-districts wliich 
had not filled their quotas on the last call. 

3. — Gen. Kilpatrick arrived within the lines of Butler's army. 

4. — Sherman's army reached Vicksburg. — Inauguration of Gov. Hahn, 
of Louisiana. 

8. — Special election in New York State, resulting ia allowing soldiers to 
vote. — Gen. Grant visited Washington, 

9. — Formal presentation of the Lieutenant-General's commission to Gen. 
Grant by the President. 

10. — Gen. Grant arrived at the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. 
— Pilatka, Fla., occupied by our troops, — An expedition left Vicksburg, 
Miss., for Fort De Russey, La. 

13. — A portion of our fleet arrived before Alexandria, La., and demanded 
its surrender, which was complied with. 

14. — Fort De Russey, on the Red River, La., attacked and captured by 
CTnion forces under General Smith. 

15. — Official orders issued, promulgating the President's call for 200,000 
more troops, and ordering a draft for any deficiency on the 15th of April. 

16. — Rebel guerrillas attack a train from Nashville, near Estelle Springs, 
Tennessee. 

17. — Rebel night raid on Magnolia, Fla. 

19. — Attempt of a body of rebels to land near Port Foyal Ferry, S. C. 

20.— Rebel attack on Jenkins' Island and Spanish Wells, Hilton Head, 
S. C, frustrated. 

21. — Engagement near Teachose, La. — The rebels defeated at Nachi- 
toches, on the Red River, La. 



348 KECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1864. 

22. — Gen. Thayer, with an army of 5,500 men, left Fort Smith, Arkansas, 
to co-operate with G-en. Steele's army. 

23. — Gen. Steele's army left Little Eock, Arkansas. — Order reorganizing 
the Army of the Potomac. 

24. — Surrender of the Union garrison at Union City, East Tennessee, 
after repulsing the rebels, 2,000 strong, three times. 

25. — Attack on Paducah, Ky., by the rebels. The city partially fired. — 
Death of Hon. Owen Lovejoy. 

26. — President Lincoln issued a proclamation defining the Amnesty 
Proclamation. — Gen. Franklin's forces reached Alexandria, La. 

28. — The advance of Gen. Banks' army left Alexandria, La. — Copper- 
head riot at Charleston, 111. — Battle on Cane River, La., thirty miles above 
Alexandria. The rebels defeated. 

30. — Engagement in Arkansas with 1,200 rebels, who were routed. 

APRIL. 

1. — Gen. Grant visited Fort Monroe. — Fight near Snyder's Bluff, on the 
Yazoo. 

2. — Fight between Grierson's and the rebel Forrest's cavalry, near Sum- 
merville, Tenn. 

4. — ^Fight at Rossville, Ark. — Gunboat expedition up the Chickahominy. 
— Opening of the great Sanitary Fair in New York. 

7. — Brisk fighting in Louisiana. 

8. — The Senate passed a resolution to submit to the Legislatures of the 
States an amendment of the Constitution abolishing slavery. — Battle near 
Mansfield, La. The rebel Gen. Taylor attacked. Our army, unexpectedly, 
came on the rebels in full force. Our troops were entrapped, surrounded, 
and flanked. They fell back, but their retreat was impeded by wagons, and 
the retreat became a rout. 

9. — Battle of Pleasant Hill, La. A severe battle, our troops falling back 
in the night. — The rebels attempted to blow up the U. S. steam frigate Min- 
nesota before light in the morning. 

11. — Gen. Banks' army all reach Grand Ecore, La. — The rebels repulsed 
m an attack on Rossville, Ark. 

12. — Massacre of negro soldiers at Fort Pillow, Tenn. 

13. — Rebel Gen. Buford appeared before Columbus, Ky. The enemy 
retired without an attack. — A portion of Banks' army attacked near Blair's 
Landing, La. 

14. — The surrender of Paducah, Ky., again demanded by the rebels. 

16. — Gen. Thayer's force from Fort Smith, Arkansas, joined the main 
army at Prairie d'Anne. 



EECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 349 

1864. 

17. — Bread riot by females in Savannah, Ga. — The rebels in forco 
assaulted Plymouth, N. C, but were repulsed. 

18. — A rebel ram came to within a few miles of Plymouth, N. C, and 
attacked our fleet, sinking the Smithfield and another gunboat. 

19. — Fort Wessels, Plymouth, IST. C, evacuated by our troops. 

20. — Gen. Steele's army entered Camd^, Ark. — The rebels stormed Fort 
Williams, Plymouth, N. 0., carrying it, and capturing General Wessels and 
2,500 men. — Plymouth surrendered to the rebels. 

22. — The rebels captured the gunboat Petrel on the Yazoo River. — Our 
troops left Nachitoches and Grand Ecore for Alexandria, by land. 

23. — Sharp fight on Cane River, La. — Brisk engagement near Camden, 
Ark. The rebels carried the day. 

24. — The rebels made an impetuous charge on the rear of Banks' army 
in Louisiana. They were repulsed. 

25. — A train of 240 wagons of Gen, Steele's army, captured by the rebels. 
— Gen. Banks' army reached Alexandria on its retreat. 

26. — Gen. Steele left Camden for Little Rock, Ark. — The rebels in 
strong force attacked our gunboats in Louisiana. 

27. — Little Washington, N. C, evacuated by our troops. 

30. — The President approved a joint resolution raising duties on imports 
fifty per cent. — Gen. Steele's army in Arkansas crossed the Saline River, 
after a fight with the rebels, 

MAY. 

1. — Death of Commodore W. D. Porter. — Gen. Steele's army forty miles 
from Little Rock, Ark. His cavalry reach that city, 

2, — Advance of the Army of the Potomac commenced. — West Point, 
Va., occupied by our forces. ^ 

3. — The crossing of the Rapidan by the Army of the Potomac eflfected, 
without opposition, at Culpepper, Germania, and Ely's Fords. — The Secre- 
tary of the Navy sentenced Admiral Wilkes to be reprimanded and sus- 
pended for three 3-ears for insubordination, &c. 

4. A fleet of transports on Hampton Roads commenced embarking troops. 

5. Battle of the Wilderness commenced. A day of terrific fighting. — 
Gen. Hays killed. — Gen. Butler's army passed Fortress Monroe in trans- 
ports on their way up the James River. — Gen. Kautz forced the Blackwater. 
— Naval engagement between the rebel ram Albemarle and our fleet near 
the mouth of the Roanoke River. — Skirmish at Thoroughfare Gap, Va. 

6. — Battle of the Wilderness continued. Another day of terrible fight- 
ing. Gen. Wadsworth killed. The rebel Gen. Longstreet wounded — Gen. 
Butler's forces efifected a successful landing without resistance. 



350 RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1864. 

7. — Gen. Grant's army, having marched fifteen miles in the night of the 
6th, it was, in the morning, in position at Todd's Tavern. — Battle near 
Petersburg, Va., between Gen. Butler's army and the rebels. — Gen. Sher- 
man reported that Gen. Thomas had occupied Tunnel Hill, Ga., and that the 
rebels had taken position at Buzz.irds' Roost Pass, north of Dalton, Ga. 

8. — Battle of Spottsylvania Court-house, Va., commenced.- The armies 
engaged from 8 a. m. to noon. — General engagement at Mill Creek Gap, Ga. 
— Our troops take possession of Fredericksburg, Va. 

9. Battle of Spottsylvania Court-house, Va', continued. Major-General 
Sedgwick killed. — President Lincoln issued a proclamation for thanksgiving 
and prayer. Gen. Butler reported that his army had landed at Bermuda 
Landing. — The railroad between Richmond and Petersburg in our posses- 
sion. — Night attack on General Butler's lines, — Gen. Sheridan marched 
around the rebel right flank, and reached the North Anna River in safety in 
the evening. In the night he destroyed a quantity of rebel stores, &c. 

10. — Battle of Spottsylvania Court-house continued. A general advance 
of our army ordered at 5 a. m. A tremendous conflict ensued. After the 
assault had continued some time, it was found that the rebel batteries could 
not be carried without great loss, and the effort was abandoned — General 
Sheridan crossed the South Anna River. — General Averill's force fought a 
battle near Wytheville, Va. — Secretary Stanton reported that Gen. McPherson 
was within seven miles of Resaca, Ga. — Gen. Sherman in front of Buzzards' 
Roost Gap, Ga. 

11. — The armies under Grant and Lee engaged with varied success until 
eleven a. m., when our line was somewhat advanced. Gen. Lee proposed a 
cessation of hostilities for forty-eight hours, to bury the dead, which Gen. 
Grant refused. Gen. Grant reported to the War Department that after six 
days' fighting the result was much in our favor, declaring that he intended 
" to fight it out on this line if it took all summer." — After three days of skir- 
mishing. Gen. Sherman drove the rebels back to Rocky Ridge and Buzzards' 
Roost Mountain, Ga. — Gen. Sheridan captured Ashland Station, destroying a 
large amount of stores. 

12. — The battle between Grant's and Lee's army renewed five miles 
below Spottsylvania Court-house, Va. — Gen. Sheridan's army encamped at 
Walnut Grove and Gaines' Mills. — Gen. Butler's army engaged. 

13. — Gen. Butler's army advanced towards Petersburg, Va. — Gen. 
Meade issues a congratulatory address to his army. — Gen. Sheridan's forces 
encamped at Bottom's Bridge. — Gen. Sherman's army in line of battle in 
Sugar Valley. 



BECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 351 

1864. 

14. — Gen. " Balrly" Smith earned the first line of rebel works at Peters- 
burg, Va. — Gen. Sherman's forces actively engaged. 

15. — Battle of Resaca, Ga. An all-day battle in which we were suc- 
cessful. Gen. Johnston retreated from our front in the night.- — Gen. Sigel 
fought a battle at Newmarket, Va. The rebels successful. Our forces fell 
back to Strasburgh, Va. — General Banks' gunboats arrived at Fort De 
Eussey, La. 

16. — The rebel army encamped around Spottsylvania Court-house, Va. — 
Gen. Butler's force attacked by troops from Petersburg. — Resaca, Ga., occu- 
pied by Gen. Sherman. 

17. — Gen. Kautz reached City Point, Va., returning from his raid on the 
Danville Railroad. — Gen. Sherman's army at Colburn, Ga. — Gen. Banks' 
forces reached Semmesport, La. 

18. — Heavy engagement between the armies in Virginia. — Gen. Sher- 
man reached Adairsville, Ga. — Secretary Stanton announced that a draft 
would be ordered to take place, July 1. 

19. — Gen. Ewell attempted to turn Grant's right, but was repulsed.^ 
Gen. Sherman advanced on the enemy, who retreated. Kingston, Ga., 
reached. Gen. Sherman pushed a column as far as Cassville, Ga. 

20. — Gen. Butler's forces engaged. — Gen. Grant commenced a new flank 
movement.— Gen. Hunter placed in command of the Department of West 
Virginia. 

21. — Gen. Hancock's forces entered Bowling Green, Va. Milford reached 
by our troops. 

22. — Rome, Ga., occupied by Gen. Sherman without opposition. 

23. — Gen. Grant's army moved to the North Anna, closely following 
Lee's army. The rebels attacked, but were repulsed. 

24. — Gen. Grant's army at Mount Carmel Church, Va. Gen. Butler's 
position at Wilson's Wharf attacked. — Gen. Sherman resumed his march 
from Kingston, Ga. 

25. — Battle of Dallas, Ga., commenced. — A sharp and bloody fight be- 
tween Hooker's corps of Sherman's army and Hood's rebel division. Our 
army gained two miles and a favorable position. 

26. — Battle of Dallas, Ga., continued. — Our army withdrawn to the north 
side of the North Anna River, Va., in the night, and moved toward Hanover- 
town. Secretary Stanton reported that the rebels held a strong position 
between the North and South Anna Rivers. — Gen. J. G. Foster assumed 
command of the Department of the South. 

27. — Gen. Grant's army all in motion. — The battle of Dallas, Ga , con- 
tinued. Severe fighting on Sherman's left. Sherman's headquarters at 



352. KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1864. 

Dallas. — General Sheridan took possession of Hanover Ferry and Hanover- 
town, Va. 

28. — Battle of Dallas, G-a., concluded. The rebels suffered severely, 
leaving 2,000 dead and wounded -in our hands. Gen. McPherson's corps 
drove back the rebeb with great loss. — Two divisions of Gen. Grant's army 
had a severe engagement. 

29. — The rebels made a night attack on Sherman, but were repulsed. — 
Gen. "Baldy" Smith's command arrived at Fortress Monroe from Bermuda 
Hundreds on its way to join Gen. Grant. 

30. — Gen. Smith's corps occupied White House, Va. — Heavy skirmish- 
ing with Sherman's army. 

31. — The rebels attacked Gen. Sherman's army, but were repulsed. Our 
left reached the railroad near Marietta, Ga. — A hard fight near Hanover 
Court-house, Va. — Battle between Sheridan's and Fitz-Hugh Lee's cavalry 
at Cold Harbor, Va. — Another artillery attack on Butler's forces. — Nomina- 
tion of John C. Fremont and John Cochrane, for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent, by the Cleveland Convention. 

JUNE. 

1. — Battle at Cold Harbor, Va. — Gen. McPherson's corps of Sherman'3 
army moved to the front of the rebels at New Hope Church. — Gen. Butler's 
left wing attacked. 

2. — Gen. Schofield's and Hooker's corps of Sherman's army pushed 
forward toward Marietta, Ga. — Our cavalry took possession of Allatoona 
Pass, Ga. 

3. — Battle of the Chickahominy. A short but terrible battle. — General 
Grant assaulted the rebels at 4.30 a. m., without gaining any decisive ad- 
vantage. — The blockader Water Witch captured by the rebels in Warsaw 
Sound. 

• 4. — Gen. Sherman thirteen miles from Marietta, Ga. Considerable 
shirmishing. 

5. — The rebels attacked our forces after dark, near Coal Harbor, in a 
fog, but were disastrously repulsed. — Battle of Piedmont, West Virginia. — 
The rebels before Sherman evacuated their position. 

6. — Gen. Sherman's army moved toward Marietta, Ga. — Gen, Hunter 
pushed the rebels through Staunton, West Virginia, 

7. — Gen. Sheridan crossed the Pamunkey. 

8. — Nomination of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson for President 
and Vice-President. — Capture of Mount Stirling, Ky., by the rebel John 
Morgan.- Morgan entered Paris, Ky. 



RECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. «S53 

9. — Gen. Sherman's cavalry developed the position of the enemy in a 
line along the hills from Kenesaw to Lost Mountain. — Morgan's guerrillas 
whipped at Mount Stirling, Ky. 

10. — Lexington, Ky., entered by Morgan's forces. — Gen. Sturgis' expe- 
dition defeated by the rebels at Guntown, iliss. — Gen. Hunter's army ad- 
vanced from Staunton, Va. — Gen. Kautz charged the rebel works at Peters- 
burg, and carried them, but, supporters not coming up, withdrew. 

11. — Cynthiana, Ky., captured by the rebel General John Morgan. 
Gen. Burbridge attacked and totally defeated the rebels. — The movement of 
Grant's army to the south side of Richmond commenced. — Gen. Smith's 
corps marched to the White House and embarked for Bermuda Hundreds. — 
The other corps crossed the Chickahominy. — Gen. Sheridan's forces had an 
obstinate engagement at Trevilian Station, near Richmond. — Gen. Hunter's 
army reached Lexington, Va. 

12. — Gov. Letcher's house burned by Hunter's troops. 

13. — Gen. Sheridan destroyed the railroad from Trevilian Station to 
Lorraine Court-house, near Richmond. 

14. — Very heavy skirmishing between Sherman's army and the rebels; 
the position of our array changed in the night. 

15. — Gen. Smith assaulted and carried the principal line of the enemy 
before Petersburg. — Gen. Sherman's army engaged all day in skirmishing. 

16.— Cannonading along the whole of Sherman's line. The rebels com- 
pelled to evacuate a splendid position near the base of Lost Mountain. — 
Heavy firing at night between Grant's and Lee's armies. 

17. — The Ninth Corps carried two more redoubts at Petersburg, Va. — 
Gen. Hunter's forces engaged at Quaker Church, Va. 

18. — Severe battle near Lynchburg, Va. Our forces were repulsed. — 
Our forces advanced close to Petersburg, Va. — The rebels before General 
Sherman gave way at night. 

19 — Great naval battle between the Alabama and Kearsarge, off the 
harbour of Cherbourg, France. The Alabama sunk and Captain Semmes 
saved by an English yacht. 

20. — The rebels made seven distinct assaults on Sherman's lines in a 
desperate attempt to take the position at Kenesaw Mountain, which they 
had lost the day before. — General Sheridan's advance arrived at White 
House, Va. 

21. — The rebels made a fierce attack on Gen. Hunter's rear. — Skirmish- 
ing near White House, Va. Manoeuvring of Grant's army. Our advance 
interrupted. — A cavalry expedition under General Wilson left Bermuda 
Hundreds. 



354 KECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1S64. 

22. -The Second Corps attacked near the Weldon Railroad. A severe 
engagement. The rebels forced back in a charge by the Sixth corps. Our 
forces not successful in the day's battle. — Severe engagement in Sherman's 
advance. A victory won by his army. 

23. — Night attack on the rebel works at Kene?aw Mountain, Ga. 

24. — Terrible artillery attack on the right flank of the Army of the 
Potomac. 

25. — Raid on Sherman's rear by 2,000 rebels. 

27. — Battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. An unsuccessful attack made 
by our forces on the rebels. — Formal acceptance of renomination by President 
Lincoln. 

30. — Hon. Salmon P. Chase resigned his position as Secretary of the 
Treasury. — Gen. Kautz's division of Wilson's cavalry force re-entered oiu 
lines, returning from their great raid. 

JULY. 

L — The southern end of James Island, S. C, occupied by our forces. 

2. — An unsuccessful attempt to take the rebel Fort Johnson on the 
north end of James Island. 

3.— Our army enter Marietta, Ga. — The rebels overtaken by Sherman 
two miles south of Marietta, Ga. 

4. — Gen. Sigel arrived at Sandy Hook. — Gen. Mulligan evacuated Bol- 
livar Heights. 

5. — The President issued a proclamation declaring martial law in Ken- 
tucky, and suspending the action of the writ of habeas corpus. — Secretary 
Fessenden sworn in. 

7. — Our forces ordered to evacuate Harper's Ferry by Gen. Sigel.— 
Rebel raiders near Frederick, Md. The rebels checked at Monocacy Bridge. 
—Proclamation issued by President Lincoln, appointing the fii-st Thursday 
in August as a Fast Day. 

8. — Harper's Ferry reoccupied by our forces. — The rebel pirate Florida, 
on our coast, captured the bark Golconda. — Capture of Platte City, Mo., by 
guerrillas. 

9. — Battle of Monocacy, Md., lasting from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. Our forces 
overpowered and forced to retreat in disorder. — Proclamation issued by 
President Lincoln, giving his views on reconstruction. — The Florida con- 
tinued her depredations on our coast. — Gen. Sherman reached the Chatta- 
hoochee. — Governor Brown, of Georgia, ordered all the militia of the State 
into active service. 

10. — A portion of the rebels encamped at Rockville, Md. 



KEOORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 355 

1864. 

11. — The rebels near Washington, D. C. Capture by the rebels of a 
raih-oad train' at Magnolia Station, between Philadelphia and Baltimore. 
The rebels captured Maj.-Gen. Franklin on the train. — Burning of Gun- 
powder Bridge by the rebels. 

12. — Engagement near Fort Stevens, one of the defences of Washington. 
The rebels driven off. — Gov. Parker, of New Jersey, issued a proclamation 
calling on the people of his State to organize for thirty days' service. 

14. — Arrival of Maj-Gen. Franklin in Baltimore, having escaped from the 
rebel raiders. 

17. — Gen. Sherman's command moved to within five miles of Atlanta, 
G-a. His advance crossed the Chattahoochee River. — Gen. Joseph E. John- 
son turned over the command of the rebel army at Atlanta to Gen. J. B. 
Hood. — Severe fighting near Grand Gulf — Indian raid on our post at Fort 
Lamed. 

18. — Gen. J. B. Hood assumed command of the rebel army at Atlanta, 
Ga.- — Decatur, Ga., occupied by our forces. — President Lincoln issued an 
order for a draft of 500,000 men, to take place immediately after September 
5. The term of service to be one year. — The President sent his fiimous 
" To whom it may concern" dispatch. 

19. — Our forces reached Peachtree Creek, four miles north of Atlanta, Ga. 

20. — The rebels assaulted Sherman's army three times, each time being 
repulsed. — Gen. "Baldy" Smith took leave of his command before Peters- 
burg, Va., and Gen. Martindale assumed command. 

22. — Great battle before Atlanta. The rebels assaulted our lines near 
Atlanta with great fury seven times, and were as often repulsed after a ter- 
rible struggle. Our loss was 3,521; the rebels loss estimated at 10,000. — 
Gen. McPherson was killed. 

23. — Burial of the dead before Atlanta. 

24. — The cavalry expedition which left Decatur, July 10, arrived at Mar- 
rietta, Ga., having been successful. * 

25. — The I'ebels again occupied Martinsburgh, Va. 

26. — Battle near Helena, Ark. — Engagement at Point of Rocks, Md. — 
Gen. Tliomas issued a congratulatory address to his army. — Gen. Stoneman 
dispatched a cavalry force to destroy the Macon and Western Railroad. 

27. — Gen. 0. 0. Howard assumed command of the Department and 
Army of the Tennessee, lately commanded by Gen. McPherson. — Our 
cavalry, under Gens. Stoneman and McCook, started on a raid. 

28. — The siege of Atlanta commenced. The rebel army under Hood 
was repeatedly hurled against Sherman's army. — Gen. Hooker relieved of 
his command. 



356 KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1864. 

29. — The rebels crossed the Potomac on their raid into Maryland and 
Pennsylvania. — Our cavalry occupied Fayetteville, Ga. They cut the At- 
lantic and Macon Railroad. 

30. — Explosion of an immense mine by our troops in front of Burnside's 
position before Petersburg. Our troops were repulsed. — The rebels entered 
Chambersburg, Penn. — Our cavalry cut off, forty miles from Atlanta. — Gen. 
Sherman's celebrated letter on the recruiting of negroes in rebel States. 

31. — Gen. Stoneman and part of his command captured by the rebels. — 
The rebels occupied Frederick, Md. 

AUGUST. 

2. — Gen. Banks issued an order enlisting all able-bodied colored men be- 
tween eighteen and forty years of age. 

4. — Fast Day. — Exchange of the Union and rebel oflScers under fire at 
Charleston, S. C. — Gen. Kelly repulsed the rebels at New Creek, Md. 

5. — Great battle at the entrance of Mobile Bay. The rebel ram Ten- 
nessee captured, after one of the fiercest naval battles on record, in Mobfle 
Bay. — A terrific fight in front of Petersburg, lasting from 5.30 to 7.20 p. m. 

6. — Commodore Farragut shelled Fort Gaines in Mobile Harbor. He 
issued a congratulatory order to his command. — Battle of Atlanta. — Indian 
massacre near Beaver Creek. 

7. — Bombardment of Fort Gaines continued. 

8. — Surrender of Fort Gaines to Commodore Farragut. — Gen. Sheridan 
assigned to the command of the troops in the Shenandoah Valley. 

9. — Terrible explosion of a boat loaded with ammunition at City Point., 
Va. — Heavy shelling of Atlanta. 

10. — Gen. Sheridan's army skirmishing near Winchester, Va. Sharp 
fight near Martinsburg. 

11. — The Tallahassee continues on the coast, burning vessels. 

13. — Gen. Birney assaulted the rebel works in his front. — General 
Burnside relieved. 

14. — Fighting near Richmond. — The rebel General Wheeler demanded 
the suri'ender of Dalton, Geo., which was refused. 

15. — Our garrison at Dalton, Ga., was reinforced, and the rebels driven 
off in confusion. The Tallahassee continues her depredations. 

16. — Fighting on the north bank of the James. 

18. — The Tallahassee arrived at Halifax after having burned the schooners 
Josiah Acorn, Diadem, Sea Flower, and brig Roan. 

19. — The rebels drove in Warren's pickets and forced back two divisions. 



KECORDOF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 357 

1864. 

20. — The Tallahassee sailed from Halifax. — Surgeon-General Hammond 
dismissed from the service, and disqualified from holdin.;- offic . 

21. — The rebels made three desperate charge on our lines on the Weldon 
Railroad, but were repulsed with loss. — Memphis entered by rebel?. 

22. — Cannonade of our works near Petersburg. — Return of Kilpatrick to 
Sherman's lines from a successful raid. 

23. — Gen. Warren advanced his lines one mile toward Petersburg.— 
Fort Morgan, Afobile Bay, surrendered By its surrender we captured 20J 
prisoners, 60 pieces of artillery, and a large quantity of material. 

25. — Severe battle on the Weldon Railroad, near Ream's Station.— 
Severe battle with Sheridan's army. 

26, — The rebel General Early attempted to cross the Potomac, but was 
driven back by Averill. 

28. — Gen. Sherman's army reached the West Point Railroad at Red Oak, 
thirteen miles west from Atlanta. 

29. — The army of the Tennessee skirmished considerably. 

31. — Great battle near Atlanta. During the forenoon, our artillery kept 
up a cannonade to provoke the rebels to an assault. In the afternoon, the 
rebels assaulted our lines, but were repulsed with great loss, estimated at 
3,000. The Fourteenth Corps struck the railroad five miles south of Jones- 
boro. — George B. McClellan and George H. Pendleton nominated by the 
Chicago Convention for President and Vice-President. 

SEPTEMBER. 

1. — The battle of Atlanta continued. A brilliant charge was made at 
5 p. M. by Gen. Davis' force, resulting in the discomfiture of the rebels. 
Great destruction by the rebels of large magazines of stores accumulated at 
Atlanta. They blew up, in addition to other things, eighty car-loads of am- 
munition. Gen. Slocum's corps assaulted the enemy's works around the 
city in the afternoon. — Panic and evacuation of the city. 

2. — Atlanta, Ga., occupied by Sherman's army at 11 a. m. 

3. — Gen. Sherman issued a congratulatory order on the occupation of 
Atlanta. — Rebel cavalry attacked by Gen. Milroy, near Murfreesboro, Tenn, 

4. — General Gillem surprised John Morgan's band, and killed Morgan at 
Greenville, Tenn. — The rebels near Murfreesboro retreated. 

5. — The President issued a Proclamation, recommending that Sunday, 
Sept. 11, be observed as a day of Thanksgiving. 

8. — General McClellan accepted the nomination for the Presidency. — 
Gen. Sherman ordered the removal of the inhabitants of Atlanta, and pro- 
posed a truce of ten days. 



358 EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

1864. 

10. — Governor Brown, of Georgia, recalled the militia of the State frona 
Hood's army. — A truce for ten days declared by Gen. Sherman. 

12. — Gen. Sherman replied to a remonstrance of the Mayor of Atlanta 
against removing the inhabitants of the city. 

13. — Attack on the rebels near Occoquan Creek, by some of Sheridan's 
forces. A South Carolina regiment captured. 

14. — Secretary Stanton ordered the draft to be commenced Sept. 19. — 
Gen. Sherman ordered the people of Atlanta to evacuate the city. 

16. — A large body of rebel cavalry made a raid on our reserved cattle 
herd, opposite Harrison's Landing, and succeeded in carrying all off. 

19. — Battle of Bunker Hill, Va. A great battle fought by Sheridan in 
the Shenandoah Valley. A splendid victory^ capturing over 2,500 prisoners, 
together with nine battle-flags, and five pieces of artillery. The rebel Gens. 
Gordon and Rhodes were killed. 

21. — General Sheridan attacked the rebels beyond Strasburg, Va. — Fre- 
mont and Cochrane withdrew their names as candidates for President, &c. 

22. — Battle of Fisher's Hill, Va., in the Shenandoah Valley. General 
Sheridan attacked and drove the rebels in the utmost confusion, capturing 
twenty pieces of artillery, &c. 

23. — Montgomery Blair resigned his olBce of Postmaster-General. — A 
part of the rebel Gen. Forrest's force, about four hundred strong, crossed the 
Tennessee River, at Bates' Landing. — Our garrison at Athens, Ala., sur- 
render, 

26. — Gen. Sheridan's headquarters at Harrisonburg, Va. 

28. — Admiral Porter issued his farewell order to the Mississippi Squadron. 

29. — Gen. Ord's Corps, of Grant's army, advanced and carried a very 
ptrong fortification and hne of entrenchments below Chapin's Farm, taking 
fifteen pieces of artillery and 200 or 300 prisoners. 

80. — Gen. Warren attacked and carried the rebel line on their extreme 
right, capturing a number of prisoners. 

OCTOBER. 

6. — Gen. Sheridan commenced moving back from Port Republic. 

7. — General Sheridan's forces reached Woodstock, Va. — Capture of the 
Pirate Florida by the steamer Wachusett, in the Bay of St. Salvador, Brazil. 
— A band of 200 rebels captured a steamboat and crossed into Kentucky. 

9.— An engagement took place near Fisher's Hill, Va., in which the 
rebels were defeated, leaving eleven pieces of artillery. 

10. — Reconnoissance to within three miles of Mobile. 



KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 369 

1864. 

11. — Greneral Curtis drove the rebels out of Independence, Mo. — The 
rebel Gen. Buford crossed the Cumberland River with 1,200 mounted men. 

12. — Death of Chief-Justice Roger B. Taney. — General Hood demanded 
the surrender of Resaca, Ga. 

13. — Attack on Resaca, Ga. The rebels repulsed. 

16. — Hood's army at Lafayette. — Gen. Sherman took Ship's Gap. 

17. — Gen. Hood, after striking the railroad near Dalton and Resaca, had 
fallen back before Sherman without fighting, abandoning his movement on 
our line of communication. 

IS. — Gen. Blunt, with 2,000 cavalry and four howitzers, entered Lex- 
ington, Mo. — Death of Maj-Gen. D. B. Birney. 

19. — Battle of Cedar Creek, Shenandoah Valley. Gen. Sheridan's army 
was attacked and driven in confusion, with a loss of twenty pieces of 
artillery. General Sheridan afterwards arrived on the field and drove the 
rebels, taking forty-eight pieces of artillery and many prisoners, gaining a 
great victory. — The rebel Gen. Price attacked Gen. Blunt at Lexington, Mo., 
and drove him from the city. 

20. — Capture of the St. Albans robbers. 

21. — Our forces evacuate Independence, falling back on the Big Blue. 

22. — Gen. Curtis telegraphs from Kansas, Mo., that he had been pressed 
all day. — Gen. Pleasanton pursued Price, with 2,000 men, capturing a num- 
ber of prisoners and three pieces of artillery. — The President issued an order 
thanking Gen. Sheridan for gaining the victories in the Shenandoah. 

25. — Fighting in Missouri. The rebels badly whipped. 

26. — General Doubleday's court-martial ordered to Baltimore to try the 
soldier's voting fraud case. 

27. — The rebel ram Albemarle sunk by Lieut. Cushing in the Roanoke 
River. — Arrest of Col. North on charges of fraud in the matter of soldiers' 
votes. 

28. — Gen. Dix issued an order requiring all refugees from the South to 
register their names. — Gen. Grant's army returned to its old quarters. 

29. — Maryland proclaimed a Free State by Gov. Bradford. 

31. — Nevada admitted as a State by proclamation of the President- 
Capture of the rebel batteries, and their ordnance and ordnance stores, at 
Plymouth, N. C. 

NOVEMBER. 
5. — A midnight attack by the rebels on our works southeast of Peters- 
burg, Va. A temporary success on the part of the rebels. — Gen. Butler 
assumed command in New York City to protect the city during election. 



360 KECOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

18 6 4. 

6. — Gen. Canby -woimded in Louisiana. 

7. — A rebel attack on our pickets south of Atlanta. 

8. — Ee-election of Abraham Lincoln as President, and election of An- 
drew Johnston as Vice-President.— Gen. McClellan resigned his commission 
in the United States army. — Atlanta attacked by the rebels under General 
Iverson. 

9. — Gen. Sherman issued his orders regulating the march of his army 
through Georgia. 

10. — Arrest on board of the vessel, of a party of rebels conspiring to 
seize the Panama Railroad Co.'s steamship Salvador, on the Pacific. 

IL — Commencement of the burning of Atlanta, Ga. 

13. — General Sherman's right wing, under Gen. Howard, moved out of 
Atlanta, and began its march through Georgia. 

14. — Gen. Sherman's left wing left Atlanta. 

15. — The last of Slierman's forces left Atlanta. 

16. — Gen. Sherman's right wing passed through Jonesboro, Ga. — The 
rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, engaged our cavalry at Bear Creek Station. 

17. — A column of Sherman's army occupied McDonough, Ga. — Our 
cavalry occupied Griffin, Ga. — Sherman's left wing reached Covington, Ga., 
The cavalry pushing on to Social Circle. 

18. — Sherman's cavaly drove Wheeler out of Barnesville, Ga. — Gov. 
Brown and the Georgia Legislature fled from Milledgeville, Ga. — Exchange 
of prisoners at Savannah. 

19. — Gov. Brown, of Georgia, issued a proclamation, ordering a levy en 
masse to oppose Sherman. — The advance of Beauregard's army at Waynes- 
boro, Tenn. Beauregard's headquarters at Corinth, Miss., and Hood's at 
Plorence. 

20. — Gen. Sherman attacked East Macon, Ga. 

21. — Heavy skirmishing near Cumberland Gap. — Gen. Sherman's right 
wing captured Milledgeville, Ga. — Slocum's column reached Etonville, Ga. 

22. — Battle of Rood's Hill, Va., between Sheridan's and Early's troops. 
Our troops retired. — Hood advanced and encamped twenty miles from 
Pulaski, Tenn. — Gen. Slocum's columns reached Milledgeville, Ga. 

23. — Our forces withdraw from Pulaski, Tenn. — Fight near Griswold- 
ville, Ga. — Hood's infantry at Waynesboro and Lawrenceburgh. — Fight at 
the Oconee River, Ga. 

24. — Severe skirmish near Columbia, Tenn. — Sherman's rear guard left 
Milledgeville, Ga. — Slocum's column. at Devereaux, Ga. — Thanksgiving Day. 

25. — Attempted burning of a large number of hotels in New York City, 
by rebel spies. — Severe fighting west of Columbia, Tenn., between Hood 
and Thomas' armies. 



KECOllD OF BATTLES AlfD EVENTS. 361 

1864. 

26. — G-en. Slocum's column of Sherman's army at Warrenton, Ga. — Gen. 
Howard's column reached Sandersville, Ga. 

27. — Capture of Roger A. Pryor near Petersburg, Va. — Gen. Canby's 
troops destroyed Big Black Bridge on the Mississippi Central Pi,ailroad. 

28. — Our forces evacuated Columbia, Teun. — The rebels surprised and 
captured Fort Kelly on New Creek, Va. 

29. — Sharp fighting at Spring Hill, twelve miles south of Franklin, Tenn. 

30. — ^Battle of Franklin, Tenn. The rebels attacked Thomas' army at 
Franklin, but were repulsed at all points with heavy loss. — Gen. A.J. Smith's 
army passed through Nashville and reinforced Thomas. 

DECEMBER. 

1. — The armies near Nashville engaged in heavy skirmishing. — Death of 
Hon. Wm. L. Dayton, United States Minister to Prance. 

2. — General Breckinridge issued an order to husband arms, &c., and to 
glean lead from battle-fields. — Gen. Sherman's army passed through Millen, 
Ga., and encamped in its vicinity. 

3. — Wheeler's cavalry attacked Sherman's forces on the Savannah Rail- 
road, below Haynesboro. — Heavy skirmishing before Nashville, Tenn. 

4. — Lieut.-Com. Fitch defeated and drove the left wing of Hood's army 
on the Cumberland River, with heavy loss to the rebels. He also recaptured 
two transports. — Sherman's army started for Savannah. 

5. — Meeting of Congress. 

6. — Heavy skirmishing near Nashville, Tenn. — Destruction of Pocotaligo 
Bridge. 

7. — A cavalry expedition started South from the Army of the Putomao. 
— Engagement near Murfreesboro, Tenn. 

9. — Geu. Howard, of Sherman's army, reported that the araiy had met 
with perfect success. — Reconnoissance from the Army of the Potomac 
toward Hatcher's Run. 

10. — Gen. Sherman's troops five miles from Savannah. — Rebel recon- 
noissance toward the Army of the Potomac. , 

11. — A messenger from Sherman's army reached our fleet. 

12. — ^Amval of Gen. Howard's messengers at Hilton Head, S. C. 

13. — Departure of the great naval expedition from Fortress Monroe. — 
Fort McAllistei-, Savannah, carried by assault. — The St. Albans robbers re- 
leased by the Canadian Judge Ooursol. — Gen. Sherman reported his arrival 
before Savannah without the loss of a Avagon. 

15, — Battle of Nashville commenced. G-en. Thomas attacked Hood's 
army at 9 a. m. Our lines advanced on the right five miles. The rebels 
lost much artillery, man}' prisouer.s, and a whole hue of earthworks. In th'j 



362 RECOKD OF BATTLES AXD EYENTS. 

1S64, 
night Hood withdrew his right from tlie river. — Tlie rebel G-en. Forrest at- 
tacked Murfreesboro, Tenn. 

16. — Battle of Nashville continued. Our army again gained a brilliant 
victory, and put Hood's army to flight, with a loss in the two days estimated 
at 17,000 men, and 51 cannon. 

17. — Gen. McCook defeated the rebel Gen. Lyon in a sharp fight at 
.■\ shby ville, Ky. — Gen. Thomas reported continued success in the pursuit of 
Hood. — Our troops entei-ed Wytheville. — A detachment of Union artillery 
cut up near Millwood, Va. 

18. — Gen. Thomas reported that the enemy had been vigorously pursued, 
but had studiously avoided attack. 

19. — Gen. Thomas reported the capture of three guns at Spring Hill. — 
The President issued a proclamation calling for 300,00 J troops to fill de- 
ficiencies, and ordering a draft in all districts which had not filled their quotas 
on February 15. 

20. — General Sherman demanded the surrender of Savannah. The city 
was evacuated by Hardee's army in the night. The rebels blew up their 
rams at Savannah. — Capture of rebel salt works at Saltville, Va. 

21. — Capture of Savannah, Ga., by Gen. Sherman, with 25,000 bales of 
cotton, a large amount of stores, and 150 cannon. — Admiral Farragut ap- 
pointed Vice-Admiral — Admiral Porter's fleet ajjpeared before Wilmington. 

23. — Fight near Gordonsville, Va. 

24._Attack on Fort Fisher, Wilmington, by Porter's fleet. The bom- 
bardment lasted from 1 p. m. till night. A furious cannonade. 

25. — Attack on Fort Fisher continued. Gen. Butler's troops land under 
cover of the fire from the fleet, and were immediately engaged. In the 
night our infantry attacked the fort, but were repulsed. The land force re- 
embarked. — Gen. Thomas' army 21 miles south of Columbia. 

26. — Heavy cannonading on Broad River between Sherman's and Har- 
dee's forces. — Gen. Butler's army re-embarks for Fort Monroe, having failed 
in capturing Port Fisher. 

29. — Gen. Hood driven aorots the Tennessee River with only half his 
army left him, and scarce any of his cannon. 

31._Citizens of New York present Vice-Admiral Farragut with Fifty 
Thousand Dollars. 



RECORD OP^ BATTLK8 AND KTENT8. 3^3 

1 Q 6 5 . 

JAN UARY. 

1. — The United States ship San Jacinto lost near the Bahamas. — Gen. 
Grierson continues his destructive raid in Mississippi, on Hood's communi- 
cations. — Gen. Sherman, the Socretary of War, and colored clergy of Savan- 
nah hold a council. 

2. — Gov. Fenton inaugurated Governor of New York. 

3. — The President orders Gen. Butler relieved at the request of General 
Grant. 

7. — F. P. Blair, Sr., goes to Riclmiond. 

8. — Gen. Butler takes leave of the Army of the James ; Gen. Ord suc- 
ceeds him. 

13. — Gen. Terry, v^ith his provisional forces, lands on the peninsula above 
Fort Fisher ; tremendous bombardment of the rebel fort by Admiral Per- 
ter's fleet ; 312 guns used. 

14. — Bombardment by Admiral Porter commenced at 1 p. m., and con- 
tinued with great severity. — The Fifteenth and Seventeenth' Corps of Sher- 
man's army moved by water to Beaufort from Savannah. 

15. — Hon. Edward Everett died. — Fort Fisher captured by assanlt of 
our troops under Gen. Terry; over 1,200 prisoners captured, with Gen. 
Whiting, and 162 cannon. — Gen. Sherman starts on bis South Carolina 
campaign. 

16. — Mr. Blair returns to Washington. — Accident.al explosion in the ma- 
gazine of Fort Fisher; near 200 lives lost. — Forts Caswell and Campbell 
blown up by the rebels. 

17. — F. P. Blair, Sr., has an interview with the President. — Pirates Tal- 
lahassee and Chickamauga blown up by the rebels in Cape Fear River. 

18. — Five Anglo-rebel blockade runners caught in Cape Fear River. — 
Two divisions of Slierman's troops cross Savannah River into South 
Carolina. 

20. — Blair, Sr., again left Washington for Richmond. 

21. — Sherman's army moves in three columns into the rebel State of 
South Carolina. — Pocotaligo Bridge taken. 

22. — Heavy rains impede Sherman's march through the South Carolina 
swamps. 

23. — Gen. Hood takes leave of his army ; Gen. Taylor succeeds him. 

24. — The Smithsonian Institute at Washington was burned. — The rebel 
fleet of gunboats make a serious attack on our lines, at City Point, but were 
repul?ed. 



364 RE COED (^F BATTLES AND EVENTS, 

1865. 

25. — Loyal meeting of citizens at Savannah ; Mayor Arnold delivered 
a patriotic address. (A suspicious name and curious conversion.) 

26. — Mr. Blair returns from Eichmond. 

27. — Gen. Breckinridge appointed by the rebels as Secretary of War, 
in place of Seddon, resigned. — The last of Sherman's left wing leave 
Savannali. 

28. — Gen. Butler reports at Lowell, Mass., where he was ordered, and 
delivers a windy speech. 

29. — A. H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter, and A. J. Campbell arrived inside 
Grrant's hues on a peace mission. 

30. — Lieut-Gen. Grant arrived at Fort Monroe from Fort Fisher. 

31. — The House of Eepresentatives in Washington passed the resolution 
submitting to the several States an amendment to the Constitution abolish- 
ing slavery; vote stood 119 yeas to 56 nays. 

FEBRUARY. 

1. — William H. Seward, Secretary of State, left Washington 'for Fort 
Monroe, to confer with the rebel peace commissioners. — Rebel peace delega- 
tion arrived at Hampton Roads. — Gen. Lee made Commander-in-Chief of 
rebel forces. 

2. — President Lincoln left for Fort Monroe to confer with the rebel peace 
commissioners. — The ship Rebecca Clyde returned from her errand of charity 
and mercy to Savannah in behalf of the suffering people. 

3. — President Lincoln arrived early at Hampton Roads, and confers with 
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, with Seward. — The conference lasted four 
hours. — The rebels returned to Richmond. — The Salkahatchie River crossed 
by the right wing of Sherman's army. 

4. — The President and Secretary Seward arrived in Washington. — The 
rebel peace party passed through our hnes to Richmond. — Sherman's array 
reach dry land on their march. 

5. — The Army of the Potomac made a heavy forward movement on the 
left. — The rebel Gen. Pegram killed. — The Augusta and Charleston Railroad 
destroyed by Sherman's army. 

6. — Col. Baker caused the arrest of near thirty bounty brokers and vil- 
lains in Jersey City. — The rebel general, known as " Hog Winder," died. 

8. — The votes for President and Vice-President, by States, were counted 
in CoDgress. Result, 212 for Lincoln and Johnson, and 21 for McClellan 
and Pendleton. 

9. — Great war meeting in Richmond. — The South Edisto crossed by 
the right wing of Sherman's army. 



KECOBD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. ^G5 

1865. 

10. — The President reports details of the peace conference to Congress. 

12. — The North Fork of the Edisto River crossed by Sherman's army, 
and Orangeburg occupied. 

13. — Ex-Governor Hicks died. 

14. — Junction of the two wings of Sherman's army. 

15. — Congaree Creek crossed by Sherman's army. 

16. — Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, in view of Sherman's army. 

17. — Gen. Scoheld bombards Fort Anderson. — Gren. Sherman, at the head 
of his invincible army, enters the Capitol of South Carolina. — The business 
part of the town burned by design of rebel cavalry ! — Forty-three cannon 
captured and destroyed. 

18. — Charleston evacuated by the rebels. Our forces, under General 
Schimmelfennig, enter. 450 cannon captured. 

19. — Evacuation of Fort Anderson by the rebels. Ten guns captured. — 
Public property in Columbia destroyed by order of Gen. Sherman. 

20. — Winnaboro, S. C, occupied by Sherman. — Twenty-one of Sher- 
man's foragers murdered by Hampton's forces. 

21. — Five hundred Union oflicers, prisoners in Richmond, were ex- 
changed. 

22. — Wilmington evacuated ; our forces take possession. — The rebel 
Gen. Johnston restored to command by the Confederate Government. 

23. — The Confederate Senate lost by a vote of 11 to 10 the bill to arm 
negroes. — The Catawba River crossed by Sherman. 

24. — Sherman's army still crossing the Catawba. 

25. — Right wing flounder in the swamp of Lynch's Creek. 



MARCH. 

1. — The Fourteenth Corps, Sherman's army, march eighteen mile.'? over 
norrible roads. — Chesterfield occupied. 

2. — The Twentieth Corps marched twenty-one miles, having the advance 
of the left wing. — Charlottesville taken with eight guns. 

3. — Cheraw captured by Sherman. — Twenty-five cannon taken from 
the rebels, and twenty tons of gunpowder. — The Pedee River crossed. 

4. — President Lincoln re-inaugurated President. — Large amounts of stores 
taken at Cheriiw. — Secretary Fessenden resigned. 

6. — The last of Sherman's army crosses the Pedee, and State lines be- 
tween the Carolinas. — Hugh McCollough appointed Secretary of the Treasury. 

7. — Sherman's army reaches Laurel Hill, N. C. 



360 EECOKD OF BATTLES AND EVEKT8. 

1865. 

8. — Sherman's great army march on Fayetteville, N. C. — A courier is 
sent to Wilmington. 

9. — Sherman crosses the Little Pedee River. — Gen. Hampton surprises 
Kilpa trick, but is repulsed. 

12. — Sherman captures Fayetteville, with vast stores and invaluable 
machinery, and twenty cannon. — Sherman's army cross Cape Fear River. 

13. — Sherman's army communicates with Union army at Wilmington. — A 
gunboat reaches Fayetteville. — The arsenal buildings destroyed. 

14. — Skirmishing with the rebels under Johnston. — Gen. Lee's army in 
great commotion. 

15. — Skirmishing by Sherman's left wing continues. — Gen. Sheridan de- 
stroys the James River Canal. 

16. — The battle of Averysboro fought. — The Draft in progress. 

17. — The Rebel Congress adjourns in confusion. — Gen. Wilson's cavalry 
expedition through Alabama starts. 

19. — Battle of Bentonviile commenced. — Gen. Canby's forces are march- 
ing on Mobile. 

20. — Battle of Bentonviile continued. — Great fall in gold about this time 1 

21. — Hard fighting between the armies of Johnson and Sherman. — 
Gens. Schofield's and Terry's forces are in supporting distance of Sherman. 

22. — The rebel army under Johnson retire discomfited, with heavy 
losses. — Sherman's army enter Goldsboro. 

24. — The armies around Goldsboro go into camp awaiting supplies. — The 
Potomac army held ready to move. 

25. — Gen. Lee captures Fort Steadman, and 1,600 prisoners, from Gen. 
Grant. — The fort retaken. — Kennedy, the N. Y. hotel incendiary, hung. 

26. — President Lincoln reaches City Point. — Gen. Stoneman advances on 
Western Virginia. 

27. — General Sherman visits Gen. Grant and President Lincoln, at Cit}'- 
Point. 

28. — The Army of the Potomac in motion. — Gen. Sheridan's forces on 
the left wing have the advance. — Gen. Sherman returns to Goldsboro. 

30. — Sheridan's forces reach Dinwiddie Court-house'. — The great contest 
begins. — Bombardment of Mobile commenced. 

31. — Our forces driven back on the left wing of Grant's army. Our 
forces again advance. Desperate fighting and great slaughter. 



EECORD OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 307 

1865. 

APRIL. 

1. — The Potomac army captures several thousand prisoners at tlie battle 
of the Five Forks. — President Lincoln, at City Point, gives hourly bulletins 
to the public. 

2. — G-en. Grant orders a general attack on Lee's entire line, and carries 
them with dreadful slaughter on both sides. — Selma, Ala., captured by Gen. 
Wilson. 

3. — The President telegraphs the capture of Petersburg and Eichmond. 
Grant in hot pursuit of Lee's retreating army. — Over 500 cannon taken with 
immense material of war. 

4. — Gen. Grant reports our losses for the campaign not over 7,000 men. 
—Lincoln visits Richmond. 

5. — Lee's army, or what is left of it, reaches Amelia Court-house. — 
Burksville taken by Sheridan. 

G. — Gen. Sheridan attacks Lee, and captures six general officers and 
fourteen cannon. 

7. — Lee's army cut off and nearly surrounded. 

8. — General Grant at Farmville, Va. — Mobile, Ala., captured, with 300 
cannon, and over 5,000 prisoners. 

9. — Gen. Lee surrenders his entire army to Gen. Grant. — A salute of 200 
guns is ordered by the Secretary of War at every army post, fort and arse- 
nal in the country. 

10. — Gen. Stoneman captures Salisbury, IST. C, with fourteen cannon, and 
immense commissary stores. 

14. — President Lincoln assassinated by Booth, at Ford's Theatre. — Sec- 
retary Seward also attacked. — Gen. Anderson lioists the flag on Fort Sumter. 

15. — The President dies! Seward is living. — AndreAV Johnson sworn 
in as President. — The country is in deepest mourning. 

18. — Gen. Sherman and Gen. Johnston sign a conditional truce. 

19. — The President's funeral takes place in Washington. 

20. — $100,000 is offered for the arrest of the murderers of the late 
President. 

21.— The President's funeral cortege leaves Waslaington for Illinois. — 
Gen. Grant leaves for North Carolina. 

24. — Reception of the remains of the late President in New York City. — 
Sherman's truce with Johnson ends. 

26. — Gen. Johnston surrenders his entire army to Gen. Sherman. — 
Booth shot and Harrold captured. 

29. — Gen. Grant arrives in Washington from N. Carolina. 



368 EEOOED OF BATTLES AND EVENTS. 

18G5, 

MAY. 

10. — Jeff. Davis and family captured at Irwinsville, Ga. — His military 
escort also taken. • I 

13. — Over Thirty Millions subscribed to-day for the great loan. — The I 
trial of the assassins of the President opened to the public. ' 

20. — General Sherman arrives in Washington. 

22. — Jeff. Davis incarcerated in Fortress Monroe. 

23. — Grand i-eview of the Army of the Potomac at Washington. | 

24. — Grand review of Gen. Sherman's army at Washington. 

26. — Gen. Kirby Smith surrenders his forces in Texas to Gen. Canby 

27. — Secretary Stanton orders all prisoners sentenced to confinement 
during the war to be at once released. 

29. — President Johnson issues an amnesty proclamation. 

30. — Gen. Sherman issues his farewell address to his army. : 

JUNE. 

1.— Total debt of the United States to date, $2,635,205,753 50. 

2. — Lieut.-Gcneral Grant issues his farewell to the armies of the United 
States. — Gen. Sheridan arrives at New Orleans. — Secretary Seward orders 
the discontinuance of the passport regulations. 

28. — Gen. Meade issues his farewell order to the Potomac Army. j 

JULY. 

4._Grand celebration at Gettysburg, Pa., of the national victories, and 
the return of peace. 

7. — The assassins of the President hung. I 

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